And One
Bodypop

THE REVIEW

Grab this album. Turn it around and read the tracklist. You'll realize it presents a clear beginning ("Mein Anfang") and a clear end ("Dein Ende"): different stages of two people's journey. How can one not see the analogy with the previous album, "Aggressor," structured in somewhat the same manner?

It starts with "Military Fashion Show," a well-paced and enjoyable track, and the doubts plaguing the singer: "What can I do/What can I say?" Luckily, with the next track, the doubts begin to dissipate, and the singer invites the girl to "appreciate the unknown," abandoning all hesitation and scruple towards her man... Will she succeed?? Unfortunately, the track doesn't let us know, but the next track ("So klingt Liebe") makes us think of success: the rhythm is light, the choirs create a soft atmosphere, and the woman seems to enjoy the attention she receives. With "The Sound Of Believer" we return to something darker and less idealized. It's a track that's less immediate and reminiscent of "The World Is Not Enough" by Garbage. This brings us to the halfway point of the musical journey proposed by And One.

"Body Company" is too rhythmic, too based on short refrains and obsessive repetitions to leave the audience indifferent: you find yourself there, moving and singing loudly... But then comes "Traumfrau," the most interesting track of the entire album. It begins with a long introduction where warm and enchanting atmospheres reign, Naghavi whispers and tries to explain the situation to his creation... We are already hypnotized. The drum machine starts, you lie down on the bed and let yourself be carried away by the notes, the voice, the lyrics... Sure, it's true that songs centered on an ideal woman always work, but, if nothing else, this song presents a certain originality since the singer "creates" almost an hoffmanian Olympia: illusion or simple manipulation?? Who knows... Finally, it returns to a whisper: "Open your eyes, don't forget whom you serve..." Still dazed, we're catapulted into "Stand The Pain": maybe the singer won't be able to endure the pain, but at least the listener will tolerate it better thanks to this contagious rhythm and melody that quickly captures us!

"Sexkeit" faintly links back to "Traumfrau" but here the industrial metaphor is abandoned and there will be no "sun that speaks to me": loneliness reigns, desperation translated by a slow rhythm and brief choirs. This explains the intervention of "Love You To The End": the singer hasn't yet accepted being sidelined but seems to be starting to resign... It concludes then with "The Dream" (which precedes "Dein Ende"): a slow track and a bit too sweet which is slightly disappointing.

But the solution to overcome this slight disappointment is very simple: choose one of the previous songs and let yourself go again...