V/A :: Sie Hat Schenkel Wie Godzilla – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Kernkrach)

Clever, diverse and totally absorbing—bringing together new names in Synth Wave while corralling some old favorites.

One strength of Kernkrach, and its myriad sublabels, has been compilations. Doppelhertz, Doppelhertz II, Slippenbekenntnisse. Just some of the stunning collections put out by this German label. Under its Hertz-Schrittmacher hat, the Bielefeld imprint has brought together new names in Synth Wave while corralling some old favorites for Sie Hat Schenkel Wie Godzilla – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

Hertz-Schrittmacher veteran Sütterlin opens with the bending bass lines of “Godzilla Comes To Town.” As per usual with Kernkrach assemblages, a plethora of new talent is on show; such as the clean and snappy Two Minute Warning or the darkened EBM of Error 144. Russia’s Ruble Gang are another stand-out newcomer on this analogue assortment, a rumbling piece of Electro Wave in the form of “Heartbeat” being the serving. Up and coming synth zealots shine across the LP, the moody and emotive music of ((PRESSURES)) or the methodical cold electronics of Delos. You never know what you’re going to get from this Bielefeld establishment, but disappointment is something that never features. The flip opens with a very special collaboration between Shibuya Station (Marc Schaffer of Anna Logue), Silicon Scientist and Poeme Electronique. A surging piece of synth pop is the offering, “Danse Dans Les Grottes” racing on nitro-injected beats as vocals curl. F.K.K. veteran Neonlichter Im Ausverkauf delivers insular analogue moods before Dada Pogram arrives with the soaring “New Galactic Code.” ImiAFan follows with frosted mechanical movements, a style countered by the quirky plinks of Merci La Nuit. Poeme Electronique close with “Stargazer”, the group showcasing a style I had not heard from them before. A delicate and rich soundscape is the curtain fall, chiming ambience from the 80s machine music trailblazers.

Kernkrach, or Hertz-Schrittmacher or whatever subdivision of the parent label you want to mention, know how to do compilations. Previous collections have introduced now-established talent to awaiting ears, revived lost artists and bolstered the wave scene. Sie Hat Schenkel Wie Godzilla – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is clever, diverse and totally absorbing. I’d be surprised if another various artists album can offer as much in 2014.

Sie Hat Schenkel Wie Godzilla – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is available on Kernkrach.