Neu!
This German group comprised of Klaus Dinger (guitar/vocals/drums) and Michael Rother (guitar/bass), two former members of Kraftwerk. Their debut established the duo's compulsive style in which metronomic rhythms and spartan melody lines created a hypnotic effect. Respected producer Conny Plank helped define the group's sound, but the promise of this impressive debut was undermined by NEU 2, in which several versions of the same song were played at different speeds. Subsequent recordings reasserted Neu's imaginativeness and the duo's work inspired, among others, David Bowie. Both individuals also enjoyed acclaim outside the group; Rother completed several acclaimed solo albums, while Dinger formed the innovative La Düsseldorf.