"Liebe ist für alle da"
love is there for everyone
I'd have to say that the title for this new Rammstein album sums up the disc's mood quite nicely. This is not your standard metal album, for those of you that have experienced Rammstein before, most likely through "Mutter" or "Sehnsucht" which contains
the bar stomping single "Du Hast". This sort of humorous experimentation is common place. But even this album tends to veer into unexpected areas. The first impression I got about this album is that they must have been listening to a lot of Depeche Mode when they made it. I know Rammstein has to enjoy Depeche Mode somewhat since they covored Depeche Mode's "Stripped" from "Black Celebration" but this album seems to be a parallel or tribute to some of Depeche Modes older albums. Rammstein's keyboard player Christian "Flake" Lorenz and singer Till Lindemann take center stage on this album and give off that scent of 80's pop music more so then the rest of the band. Lorenz davels in older synth noises to create a moody yet poppy atmosphere for Lindemann to lay down his syrupy german lyrics. Taking this into account you may be thinking "I thought Rammstein were a metal band? What are they doing making a pussy pop album!?" What's important to remember is that Rammstein is a deeply satirical band, something some American listeners may not realize. And this album is very funny in some instances, the satire so thick and dry it could preserve food. An example of this dry humor being the lyrics to the song "Pussy". "You have a pussy, I have a dick, So what's the problem?" (and yes those lyrics are sung in english with a thick German accent, I mean who knew that Dick was pronounced Dic-KA.)
The guitar work for the most part is getting to be old hat though. There are always some nice little parts here and there but it's usually the same Chugga chugga that we've come to expect from macho metal bands. It supports some of their songs very well but it is becoming a predictable fascit of Rammstein's bag of tricks. As far as technical skill is concerned I'd have to say that the drummer, (Christopher "Doom" Schneider) has improved the most. He's begun to throw in blast beats here and there that help refresh some of the stale guitar rhythms that have been recycled. But at the end of the day despite his surge in technicality he has now only become a good drummer as opposed to a veeery straight forward one. And I'm sorry to report but there is No real bass to be proud of on this album, which is upsetting considering my love for the instrument. Rammstein has never been a bass oriented band though I suppose, and I shouldn't expect it from them.
So all n all I'd say the good things about this album is that it has some solid hooks, and interesting melodies with some funny music to keep it from dragging on and on. This is all due to the vocals and keyboards. Oddly enough the things that made Rammstein so great in the past, the insane industrial stomp of their guitars seems to hold them back this time around. I recommend listening to this album while fishing or sitting back in your apartment tossing back an icey brew. Otherwise it's not going to do you much good working out or running around town trying to brood about the darker aspects of life.
until next time, this is Jacob Wayne
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