Artist: Ash Ra Tempel Album: Inventions for Electric Guitar

Year: 1975
Duration: 0:0-1

Immersing Inventions – A of Ash Ra Tempel’s Inventions for Electric Guitar

It’s always a satisfying experience to learn and explore the endless variety of music that’s out there. But let’s face it, not every album can leave the impression it intends to make. However, when it comes to Inventions for Electric Guitar by Ash Ra Tempel, the case is notably different. The album managed to become the pioneer of many music genres and subgenres with its ethereal approach to psychedelic rock, ambient, and minimalism. Thus, I’ve decided to share my own insights on this masterpiece, from the history of the artist to the best songs to the most innovative parts and finally, my of the album.
Ash Ra Tempel was a German experimental rock band, originally formed in 1970 by guitarist Manuel Göttsching. The band’s early works were more influenced by Heavy and Hard Rock, moving into Kosmische Musik or Krautrock that emerged from Germany in the same period, and their interest in esoteric eastern philosophies and psychedelia. Inventions for Electric Guitar was Ash Ra Tempel’s fifth album and was released in 1975. The album’s instrumental structure was composed entirely of guitar-based textures, solos, and loops that are mellow, layered, and expressive, accompanied by various synthesizer manipulation soundscapes.
The album’s genre is still debatable, mainly since it falls into a categorization limbo. However, the blend between psychedelic rock, ambient, and minimalism elements made it a pioneer of a new genre nowadays known as Space Rock. It’s also noticeable that, for a guitar-driven album, the music borders contemporary sounds that divert from the typical rock norm. Inventions for Electric Guitar’s tracks are diverse, ranging from the meditative textures and yet playful “Light: Look at Your Sun” to the transcendental and awe-inspiring pieces like “Le Sourire Volé” and “Freak’n Roll”.
Though the entire album is an exceptional art form, certain tracks stand out more. The opening track “Echo Waves” warmly welcomes the listener with its immersive synthesizer waves, harmonized by the thoughtful and simple guitar chords. “Le Sourire Volé” is the longest track from the album, lasting over 19 minutes. The track’s history is that it was inspired by the French avant-garde writer and filmmaker Jacqueline Caux, and it showcases the band’s ability to travel through different musical phases and build upon an atmospheric story. Lastly, “Freak’n Roll” is Ash Ra Tempel’s take on Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love,” but far more experimental and free-flowing.
In addition to the musical tracks, it’s impressive to hear the innovative sounds that go beyond the traditional guitar playing. Manuel Göttsching’s experimentation with his guitar and the spacey soundscapes that enhanced the psych elements of the record made it an iconic milestone in music’s history. The band members’ restraint in not overloading the album with unnecessary elements and keeping it minimalistic gave space to the music to breathe and show its true potential.
Inventions for Electric Guitar is that kind of album that exposes a band’s creative capabilities, expertise, and innovation. Ash Ra Tempel’s mastery of threading simplistic guitar sequences into a musical tapestry and the way they allowed the ambient and minimal sounds to blend in is brilliant. The timeless quality of the record and its exceptional musicianship speak volumes of its worth. Overall, it’s an album that never fails to capture its audience, leaving them both inspired and enchanted by its music. I highly recommend giving it a listen.