I first started listening to this band after borrowing a friend's live DVD. After viewing it, I decided to pick up a copy of Mutter. I currently own this album and Sehnsucht, and have heard Reise Reise, and this is by far the best of the three. The first half of this album is essentialy all singles, however I found to my surprise that the second half was as good if not better than the first.
Mutter is the third release from the German Industrial sextet. They are made trademark by their simple throbbing guitar riffs, driving drums, interesting samples and Till Linderman's deep contrabass voice. Many people I know laugh at his voice and this band, but I try not to take them too seriously. Their songs are suprisingly meaningful when one reads the rough translations, and the music is catchy and listenable enough not to just enjoy without thinking about.
Track-by-track
Mein Herz Brennt (My Heart Burns)
A beuatiful opener, this track starts out quiet with Till singing softly in the background until the verse, where solid guitar chords are met by a well-placed violin sample. This soft but angsty beginning introduces the 'heartache' theme seen throughout the album.
4/5
Links 2-3-4 (Left 2-3-4)
One of the most well-known songs on the album. A political left-wing statement is made in the lyrics; "They want my heart beating on the right side, I look and it beats left there" (rough translation). The music has a march feel throughout and the latter part of the chorus features a chorus of vioces in the background. A good song, but not one of the ones that really stand out to me.
3.5/5
Sonnne (Sun)
The first single released from the album, it was originally written as the theme for some boxer before he changed his mind. An amazing song, it begins with Till counting to nine and saying "out", followed by one of the catchiest guitar riffs I have ever heard. The chorus then changes drastically into a light melodic sound as Till sings "Here comes the sun". My favourite Rammstein song of all time.
5/5
Ich Will (I Want)
Another single and another great track. Flake the keyboardist plays a simple rhythm atop the guitar line throughout the song, which is damn cathcy bu can get a little irritating if heard too often. A song seemingly about human desire and wanting to achieve fame or immortality. Sounds fantastic live when the crowd joins Till in chanting.
4/5
Feuer Frei (Fire Freely)
An anti-war song popularized by that horrible "XXX" movie. The message is somewhat lost behind the frantic guitar and Till screaming "Bang! Bang!" One of the heaviest tracks on the album, it falls a little flat in my opinion and doesn't convey much meaning. Still an ok listen though.
3/5
Mutter (Mother)
The tragic ballad of the album and yet another single. The lyrical meaning is deep and haunting; the song is about a test-tube baby who has never known his mother and feels all alone in the world. The harsh sounding "Mother!" and strained guitar line make this a powerful track, though sounding a little empty at times.
4/5
Speilhur (Music Box)
Another deep track; this time about a stillborn baby who comes back to life buried underground with a music box. The 'music box' keyboard at the beginning and end add a nice full-circle effect to the song, and the high distorted voice of the child in the chorus sends chills down my spine. The bass can be heard solidly through the verses. A beautifully spooky track.
4.5/5
Zwitter (Hermaphrodite)
Haha! Back into the heavier material. I love this track. The frantic chugging guitar riffs and heavy cymbal sound carrying it with vigour from beginning to its fade-out ending. But the best paty by far are the brilliant lyrics. Only this band can write an optomistic, upbeat song about a hermaphrodite who takes joy in pleasuring him/her/itslef. Has some great lines such as "One for me, one for you, one and one, thats me" and my favourite, "I am not even downharder when someone tells me 'Go *** Yourself'!"
5/5
Rein Raus (In, Out)
It wouldn't be a Rammstein album without the obligatory song about anal sex. Very graphic lyrics, somewhat unsettling when Till yells "Farther!" during the bridge. Has an interesting techno-like intro which cuts into the instrumentation. Decent heavy riff although it sounds to me similar to that of Speilhur except angrier. Good song, but not a stand-out track.
3.5/5
Adios (Goodbye)
This would have made an awesome single were there any to spare. The drums actually do something interesting in this song, varying from a snare ryhthm in the verses to a steady double-bass near the end. Yet another simple, driving guitar, with an awesome distorted solo during the bridge. I like to think this song is about a heroin overdose, but I really have no idea. Should have been the album closer
5/5
Nebel (Mist)
Ah, such a weak ending. They had the right idea, closing with a soft love ballad, but this song really has nothing to it. There is no powerful sadness felt in some earlier tracks, only a slow lifeless beat that only picks up in the last 30 seconds of the track. Somewhat of a letdown, though not completely unlistenable.
2/5
Hallelujah
This track isn't on the version I own, but as it is apparently included in some versions and I have the track downloaded, I thought I would throw it in anyway. A better closer than Nebel at any rate. The band finally makes their stab at religion. The song is about an altar boy who is molested by a priest. Brutally honest, and sure to offend any Catholics. Nothing too great musically, the same couple guitar notes repeated throughout. But you can't help but smile with sick irony when the altar boy sings "Hallelujah" in the chorus. A decent finish to an otherwise great album
3/5
I would recommend this album to anyone getting in to the band, as I believe this is the ultimate sound that they were trying for (Reise Reise sounds to me like a mroe experimental album). Defenitly worth a listen.
