After the release of the first Harmonia album and a period on tour, Rother returned to working with Klaus Dinger and an expanded Neu! lineup in order to complete his contractual obligations. In his absence Cluster went back to work as a duo, releasing "Zuckerzeit" later in 1974. "Zuckerzeit" sounds different from any other Cluster album, with clearly defined melody and beat and a rhythmic sound, at times approaching the Motorik style of Neu! Pitchfork Media places "Zuckerzeit" at number 63 in their "Top 100 Albums of the 1970s".