Review Summary: a Solid Album that will inspire shock, awe, and headaches all in one beautiful package
Band Members
Till Lindemann - vocals
Richard Z. Kruspe-Bernstein - Guitars
Christoph Schneider - Drums
Oliver Riedel - Bass
Paul Landers - Guitars
Christian "Flake" Lorenz – keyboards
Pre Review Comments
Writing any review on a Rammstein album is like trying to shoot a ninja assassin in a pitch black room with a peashooter. I say this for a number of reasons, with the first being the obvious language barrier given that they (rightfully) choose to sing/grunt/snarl/whatever you want to describe it as in their native German tongue. Secondly, their intricate and inventive use of puns, play on words, and double meanings f certain lyrics means that definitively placing a meaning onto any one song is difficult, as their songs can only mean what the listener wants it to. For the sake of this review, im going to translate what i think each song means as well as marking them in terms of musical effectiveness. Thirdly, a lot of Rammsteins work has been overshadowed by a persistent and ,let’s be honest, annoying ‘faux’ controversy regarding issues of their politics, racial, and various sexual views. Hopefully, i can look past that with this review, but if i do venture into that territory, then please mention afterwards. Thank you
The Review
1. Reise Reise/Arise ,Arise
The album starts off with this solid, slow paced number. The theme here is of the ocean, and this is very well represented in the sweeping guitarwork, booming and crashing drumwork, and the beautifully haunting keyboard. The lyrics seem to be about how those who are at sea are forever bound to it, be it by means of feeding themselves or fighting over it. Till’s expression of the lyrics here amply show of his ability to express anger, despair, and hope all in one. A very solid opening track. 4/5
2. Mein Teil/ My Part
Ah yes, the infamous ‘Kanniballsong’ based on the story of Armen Meiwes (no need to go into detail there!). the driving guitar and drumwork give this song a really dark feeling that is doubled up by at times disturbing lyrics, although this is by no means the most unsettling song here. However, the songs strength is its liability to shock and appall, whilst unfortunately hiding the fact that despite the odd flourish and chillingly effective flourishes at the end, the music is only that of what you would find in any average Rammstein stomp. 3/5
3. Dalai Lama
Mentioning unsettling songs, this probably takes the crown as the most unnerving both in the musical sense with its moody stringwork and creepy backup vocals, and in the sheer feeling of doom implemented b y the lyrics. This song is based upon a mixture of an 18th century German poem by Wolfgang Van Goethe, and the account of a plane crash involving a Japanese Airlines jumbo jet which crashed into Mount Takamagehara on August 12th 1985, claiming 520 lives in what remains the single biggest loss of life in a single commercial aviation disaster. A truly moving tribute that does not cash in like some people have claimed.
4.5/5
4. Keine Lust/Dont Feel Like it
A slightly more upbeat and humorous song after the relentlessly dark tone from the previous two , we see Till singing of disenchantment with the music industry that the band now feels tied to, and what it may end up doing to you. (This is hilariously portrayed in the music video, showing Rammstein on yet another reunion tour when they are old men). This song sticks with the same tried and trusted musical arrangement of guitar and keyboard dominance, although there is an interesting piece of solo work in the bridge of the song.
4/5
5. Los/Less
Now, This one’s a bit of a wildcard. The keyboard is almost totally absent here, and the guitar and drumming is stripped back to mere skin and bones. In a way, this seems to be more Till having a personal exchange with the listener, talking about how they cant stand the hype or controversy that surrounds their work, and how they want people just to appreciate them for their music. In know people who love this song and people who don’t, and although i do quite like it, i find this is the one i skip most often.
3.5/5
6. Amerika/America
And after all that about how he doesn’t enjoy the controversy aspect, what does he go and do but write a song about corporatisation of the world, and how we as a human race have become superficial and power hungry. Tongue is planted firmly in cheek here, although the message has the usual statement that Rammstein cant seem to help but make( in English or German). As already mentioned in other reviews, that bridge in the middle is fantastic!.
4/5
7. Moskau/Moscow
One of my favourite songs on the album, you can see this being played out as an argument in a bar between a German and a Russian, with lyrics that are basically the pro’s and cons of (In my Opinion) a beautiful but now corrupted city. The pace of the guitar and drumming make this a nice, mid pace head banger, and im (hopefully) not the only one who finds myself singing along to the words here. Just over 4 minutes of Tanz Mettal Joy!
4.5/5
8. Morgenstern/MorningStar
Coming back into slightly more serious territory now, with the return of some brooding musical arrangement and the ever popular (in this album anyway) choir-like backing vocals. For me, this song seems to be about a crush that Till has on a girl with zero self confidence, but that’s just the beauty of Rammstein songs. They can be about what you believe they are about. Again, this one rumbles along confidently, but without ever breaking the mould in terms of structure or musical technique. Still good, but not spectacular.
3.5/5
9. Stein Um Stein/ Stone By Stone
A very clever song here. Musically, it has a very jerky stop-start sort of rhythm that ensures every note hits you in the brain like a blow from a concrete octopus, but in a good way. The real genius of this song lies in the lyrics and their meaning, being subtle blend of the Edgar Allan Poe story The Cask of Amontillado, and of a mans personal mission to make sure his wife never leaves him (yes i know. Very grisly). Some people may be put off by the stop start nature of this song, plus Till’s harsh growling and screaming at certain points, but in my opinion this is one of the top songs on show here.
4.5/5
10. Ohne Dich/Without You
No one would have thought that Rammstein could write an effective ballad about the struggles to cope with a break up?.(you could be a bastard and say to Till that she only went missing because you walled her up into your house, but we’ll leave that aside). The emotion in Till’s voice really shows through here, and this song typifies why he is such a talented and versatile vocalist. The music flows along unobtrusively, allowing Till to dominate proceedings. This song may have worked better as the album closer, but it is still effective as it is.
4/5
11. Amour/Love
A love song, but not in the sense you would expect. Here, Till describes love as an animal that can tear you apart, and how we may all be better off without its intoxicating chokehold. Till merely seems to brood his way through this song rather than really open up, but the music given here makes up for this minor failing, with a fantastic, shudder inducing guitar solo during the bridge being the cherry on that particular cake. Forgiving the pun, but this song may leave a bitter taste at the end of a very solid Album
3.5/5
Final Thoughts
So, having totted up the individual totals and divided by the number of songs (how i review all my albums), i come out with a score of 4 out of 5 overall (well, 3.9 if you want to be picky). The strong point of the album for me are the vocal work of Till, the impressive range of content and feelings attached to the songs, and the fact that there are only one or two songs you would skip indicate a consistency that is belied by some of the ratings.
Some Weak points i need to mention are the slight lack of variety in the musical set up and arrangement (although i am no expert in this department),and a basic feel that the band have stuck a bit too closely to the tried and trusted methods instead of experimenting a little more with their sound. But still , a very solid effort that refuses to leave my Car CD player for more than two or three days.
