Ulrich Schnauss

Fans of Schnauss need read no further -- it's another tour de force. Start with "Stars." Fans of the Cocteau Twins will be delighted to see that band's spirit lives on within this German producer. They should start with "Never Be The Same." Fans of lush, groovy, washed-out downtempo saying "Ulrich who?" should hang their heads in shame and immediately play this whole album, followed by his first two releases as well. It's all beautiful stuff and a million miles from much of the utter rubbish that's been passing for ambient music ever since Eno tripped over an ARP 2600 in the '70s.