Der Plan – Normalette Surprise

Der Plan’s esthetic is reminiscent of the wild side of the Residents but in a more electronic approach. Worthy successors of the krautrock bands, Der Plan always incorporate a good dose of weirdness in its music. Der Plan also launched the Ata Tak label on which we’re many of the 1980’s german bands.

On the cover of 'Normalette Surprise', there’s a robot fishing in the Ata Tak unique visual style. The 1st side plays at 45 rpm, for a better sound. Right from the first note, one can tell that Der Plan has its own sound, which is a mix of bizarre industrial/surrealist. 'Back to the atmosphere' is a nice and tripped piece. Obviously, Der Plan doesn’t take itself too seriously. The second side plays at 33 rpm and has more songs. 'Renate' has a sonic esthetic that evokes society’s alienating aspect. The album is scattered with dark pieces that alternates with naive ones. This contrast is reminiscent of some of the Residents’ records. But Der Plan does it in a more structured way ; pieces are always definite. In 'Pausen Sassa', a little instrumental track, the guitar sounds like Snakefinger. The band sings in german but the inner sleeve (vinyl edition) has the original lyrics and their translation into english. 'Kleine Schlager-Revue' is a collage with an orgy of sounds and german dialogues that evoke different times of german history. 'I am a computer' is a strange song with the modified voice of a computer saying that he’s happy, he has no problem and he doesn’t want to be human… a hell of a nod to Kraftwerk’s 'Computer World'. It end with 'Das Insekt', a minimalist and ironic track on the insects’ role in man’s life.

Der Plan has produced good music only found on rare 45’s, so it’s difficult to find a record with all of their good pieces. The CD 'Geri Reig Und Normalette Surprise' includes their first two LP’s and songs from a rare 45’s that was include in 'Fix Planet', a compilation produced by Der Plan. It’s a good start to discover this particular band.

© Alain Cliche 2016