Einstürzende Neubauten – Rampen – APM : Alien Pop Music (Album – Potomak)
Genre/Influences: Industrial, Experimental, Industrial-Pop.
Format: Digital, 2CD, 2Vinyl.
Background/Info: Forty four years after the set up of this legendary formation “Rampen” brings Einstürzende Neubauten back into the spotlight. Blixa Bargeld, N. U. Unruh, Alexander Hacke, Jochen Arbeit, Rudolph Moser and Felix Gebhard achieved fifteen new songs which have been introduced by the single “Ist Ist”.
Content: The early Industrial approach and improvisation evolved throughout the years by the Industrial label is still running through “Rampen”. You mainly hear it in the metallic percussion work and different noises which are sometimes hard to catch. But the ’alien pop music’ is also noticeable for the ‘softer’ side the band has elaborated and which in a way has something Pop and/or Ballad-like. They here are playing with acoustic instruments like guitar. Blixa Bargeld’s timbre of voice hasn’t changed throughout the years and remains a charismatic and single singer/performer.
+ + + : It’s simply fascinating to realize how this legendary band and pioneers of Industrial music are still innovative 44 years after their debut. You don’t exactly imagine Industrial- and Pop music as a match and yet “Rampen” reveals it’s possible. Surreal or abstract it sounds to me as an imaginary Dadaistic music creation featuring multiple outstanding songs. Blixa Bargeld and his acolytes took me by surprise and I can only but recommend this apocalyptic and alien-like composition. It has something accessible and even sweet but still raw and should I dare to say ‘perverted’ sound creation?! This is a free style which remains visionary. Respect guys!
– – – : I’m less into a few Ballad-driven songs which however bring extra diversity.
Conclusion: “Rampen” is totally different from the early, harsher years of the band although it remains a work without compromises and still visionary. Highly recommended!
Best songs: “Everything Will Be Fine”, “Wie Lange Noch”, “Pestalozzi”, “Gesundbrunnen”, “Besser Isses”, “Ist Ist”, “Ick Wees Nich (Noch Nich)”.
Rate: 9.
Artist & Label: https://neubauten.org/en/ www.facebook.com/EinstuerzendeNeubauten.TributePage
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