Q: Popol who? A: Popol Vuh.

Of course, when one really sits down and takes the time to think about any number of the amazing array of bands that emerged out of Germany's Kraut Rock movement of the 1970's, the names that will most likely come to mind would no doubt include the following: Can, Faust, and Neu! While the influence of these three bands is no doubt heard in the Experimental Rock that we have known and loved in more recent years, and perhaps most noticeably in early Stereolab material and latter day Boredoms. Popol Vuh, to their credit, are by no means obscure. Although, amongst music fans today, they are probably most closely linked with some of the better known films by Werner Herzog, many of which starred Klaus Kinski.

So, it would seem World Cinema buffs may be delighting in beautiful sounds that they know rather little about, and that your everyday music fan is entirely in the dark about the beauty and truth that is Popol Vuh. They were led by the late great Florian Fricke, and emerged in the very early '70's and regularly utilized what can only be referred to now as prehistoric synthesizers. However, Popol Vuh switched gears rather early, and by the time this band of Hippie Mind Freaks wrote the score for Herzog's Aguirre: The Wrath of God, they were well on their way. On their way to what exactly, you may ask? On their way to becoming instant meditation and a genuine head trip. Layers of crystal clear guitar soloing mingled with sitar and minimalist live percussion, with Florian Fricke at the piano in full control of his musical compositions, and giving everything just a hint of Classical.

This is the band that gave new meaning to what a film soundtrack could make possible, and while Henry Mancini and Ennio Morricone are nice, the music of Popol Vuh actually had the power to overshadow the film that it was featured in. It is unfortunate that Florian Fricke has passed on in recent years and that the music of Popol Vuh is no more, but their back catalog of sound is quite impressive and worth your time to investigate. In particular, I recommend the soundtracks to Herzog's "Heart of Glass" and "Nosferatu." These two film scores and many others have recently been re-released and re-mastered with worthwhile bonus tracks as well. Make no mistake, Popol Vuh were innovators in the realms of World Music and Experimental Rock, and yes, even New Age. The sounds that they mustered could make one suffer a series of religious experiences, so be prepared to be converted:



And something for the ladies:



Finally, something cinematic and downright creepy: