Die Donnergötter

If you’re wondering who first took rock from its initial phase into the post- era, a strong argument could be made for Rhys Chatham. Along with frequent collaborator Glenn Branca, he was a classically trained musician who emerged from the swamp of the late 70s New York punk scene, guitar in hand, to apply his unique avant garde outlook to the nascent No Wave sounds he heard around him. In other words: rock as modern classical pieces. All that terminology and critspeak babble makes “Die Donnergötter,” the twenty minute centerpiece of this compilation, sound way more stuffy and boring than it is. In actuality it’s a thrilling ride, the ebb and flow of the guitar interplay allowing the titular thunder gods to walk on air. He didn’t forget that rock should be fun! Chatham’s compositional mastery makes it a jangling journey that never bores. Even if the wider world didn’t take note, artists like Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Mogwai certainly did.