Dschinghis Khan
Dschinghis Khan


4.0
excellent

Review

by vanderb0b USER (63 Reviews)
November 17th, 2010 | 25 replies


Release Date: 1979 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Nobody could resist Genghis Khan in 1200 C.E. Nobody can resist Dschinghis Khan in 1979.

I am the Flail of God. If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you."
-Genghis Khan
In the thirteenth century C.E, the world would fall under attack from a foe more daunting and brutal than any seen before: Genghis Khan. Nations, warned of the coming warlord by spies sent to instigate fear, trembled in fear and streets became rivers of blood. In his short, twenty-one year reign, almost the entirety of Eurasia and the Middle East were united through cruel conquest, and the Mongols’ empire prospered. After Genghis Khan’s death in 1227 C.E, the world thought that they had seen the last of the feared Khagan, but they were frightfully mistaken: in 1979, the ruler's spirit would guide a German pop band to fame and glory. Dschinghis Khan (thus was named the band) set out not to conquer the nations of the world with an arsenal of spears and swords; no, they would instead conquer the hearts of listeners worldwide with an arsenal of pop hooks and history-themed lyrics. And, goddammit, were they successful.

Dschinghis Khan is everything that one would expect from a late seventies European pop band: cheesy, hyper-catchy choruses, disco rhythms, groovy guitar riffs, and plenty of keyboards-in other words, the kind of thing that, on paper, makes the average listener grateful that the decade is long gone. Odd thing is, it all works here. Really well, actually.

Of course, anybody that insists on taking Dschinghis Khan seriously might as well not bother listening: it’ll be a perfect waste of time. Most everybody else, though, will find themselves diving into a sea of synth-fueled, anthemic goodness. From China Boy’s funky riffage to the title track’s sing-along chant of “Dschin, Dschin, Dschinghis Khan,” just about all of the melodies are both skillfully crafted and memorable. This, along with a surprising amount of variety between songs, makes the album a thoroughly enjoyable listen that almost never becomes monotonous, with a couple drawn-out songs (Israel, Israel, I’m looking at you) serving as an unfortunate exception.

Here, we see the band at its peak, and, despite their efforts, they'd never be able to reach this level again. Granted, Dschinghis Khan never becomes anything more than gimmicky fun, but, really, what else could one want from it? As far as unpretentious, cheesy pop tunes go, these six guys dressed up like Mongol fighters are about as good as it gets.

3.8/5



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Comments:Add a Comment 
vanderb0b
November 18th 2010


3473 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Trying to do something well outside my comfort zone.



Yes, I am entirely serious with the rating. As much as I realize that I shouldn't, I really do like this album. I understand that the review is short, but I think I covered the album sufficiently. That said, if I find anything to add, I'll do so.

ConsiderPhlebas
November 18th 2010


6157 Comments


This sounds like it's out of the world's comfort zone. Review is great and makes me want to listen.

rasputin
November 18th 2010


14967 Comments


you say 'in 1997' in the intro, which i'm gathering is incorrect

vanderb0b
November 18th 2010


3473 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks, fixed it.

Butkuiss
November 18th 2010


6877 Comments


My sides hurt from laughing so much.

illmitch
November 18th 2010


5511 Comments


moskau is fucking awesome

Jethro42
November 18th 2010


18274 Comments


Yesss, a vanderb0b review! Pop is rarely my cup of tea :/


vanderb0b
November 18th 2010


3473 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yesss, a vanderb0b review! Pop is rarely my cup of tea :/




Yeah, I haven't written in quite a while, I'll be doing it a bit more frequently now, if all goes well.



And pop isn't exactly my cup of tea either, but http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4WdFede2wE is just plain awesome, in a ridiculously dated, cheesy kind of way.

Jethro42
November 18th 2010


18274 Comments


omg, save my ears

vanderb0b
November 18th 2010


3473 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Dschin, Dschin, Dschinghis Khan!



Knew that you wouldn't like this.

starry
November 18th 2010


552 Comments


The first track on side 2 is a bit of a classic, it was no1 in a few countries. It was also entered into the Eurovision Song Contest. Moskau from what I remember is a bit similar. I first heard it in a mix which combined the title track, Moskau and maybe another, they combined very fluently.

Jethro42
November 18th 2010


18274 Comments


Dschin, Dschin, Dschinghis Khan!

Knew that you wouldn't like this.

hahaha damn, the more far that I can go to pop might be Kate Bush, or to a greater extent the Bee Gees or Abba.
:D

vanderb0b
November 18th 2010


3473 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

@starry

Yeah, I think I know the mix you're talking about. Both those songs are awesome, but nothing beats "Rocking Son" and "China Boy" for me.



@Jethro

Abba and Bee Gees are about the poppiest thing I can listen to, with a few exceptions (such as this)

Butkuiss
November 30th 2010


6877 Comments


I just found out my grandmothers favourite song used to be Moskau. For many years.

Shit was so cash.

telebyrd
August 13th 2011


869 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I am determined to get this album. It's so magical

coneren
August 13th 2011


11111 Comments


then shit the bed

telebyrd
August 13th 2011


869 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I would shit my socks first

coneren
August 13th 2011


11111 Comments


did you steal my phone

telebyrd
August 13th 2011


869 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I shipped it to Moskau, baby

coneren
August 13th 2011


11111 Comments


darn you but i neded it to phone chicks and satellite not so much him cause hes a fag but ladies dude



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