Totalwerks, Vol. 1 (1969-1977)

iTunes Review

Dandy Warhols singer Courtney Taylor-Taylor projects himself and collaborator Donovan Leitch (the actor) backward into a '70s krautrock band that was somehow involved with the Baader-Meinhof Group and the Red Army Faction in Germany. A graphic novel penned by Taylor-Taylor and illustrated by Jim Rugg has been published to coincide with the release of this concept album. The album itself is an intriguing re-creation of music that never actually existed at the time but that takes its cues from Kraftwerk, David Bowie, Can, Amon Duul II, and other musicians following a primitive industrial/ techno sound. Synthesizers go bonkers on "Russian Standard Time." Beats grind robotically on "East Berlin," with vocals following in mechanical step. "What Is the Plan?" freaks out with dance rhythms that may require hospitalization for the dancer. Contemplated for 10 years and recorded in three days, the One Model Nation project is a truly weird experiment that explores the road never taken. It isn't easy listening, but it's worth the challenge.