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Rating: We don't know what reasons may have driven the Beatsteaks to inaugurate a new season in their brilliant career with this album. But the fact is that since 2007, the year of the release of "Limbo Messiah", until today, things seem to be going right for the Berlin band.
Perhaps they were tired of the various "Punkorama" and the usual hardcore compilations. Or maybe they felt "Fulfilled" by the continuous appearances in thematic magazines for "Skaters, snowboarders, surfers," etc.
Who can really tell?
Maybe they were rusted by the countless evenings, the oceanic crowds of the "Deconstruction tour," "Warped tour," "Rock I'm ring" around the world... Who knows! Possible, but at least unlikely. So let's start by distinguishing some clear differences, or if you prefer, changes compared to their previous works:
The sounds first of all. Here they are warmer compared to the extreme atmospheres of old times; not that we didn't like those, but in fact, the songs "Crafted" to perfection shine for the greater attention to sonic detail. It is captivating then the alternation of the various registers present in the tracklist, which in full consists of eleven unreleased tracks. Punk as a pure exercise of style, as an attitude, as a rhythmic structure, as the only mindset starts to bore them at this point. And thus emerge new demanding requests, new styles to experiment with.
They open the dances in the best possible way: the guitar interplay in the intro of "As I Please" is ingenious, solid, as is the powerful vocal line that brands the first verse. The rhythmic fit is perfect: the refrain literally makes the song gallop, as it blends into the fabrics of modern-styled stoner rock. Especially on the attack. The rhythmic section hits you square in the face, and moreover on a fresh-off-the-barber shave.
The single follows. "Jane Became Insane" is a beach riff, so to speak; 4 chords on the beat hold the entire loop together. Stripped of any special effect, direct, and effective, almost wanting to draw a comparison with the "Mammasantissima" Rancid.
Tim Armstrong and his mates in this track would have loved to join in on the choruses, but I believe they weren't invited to take part...
"Sharp Cool & Collected" instead has the flavor of more classic punk. If Armin, the singer, didn't improvise some kind of "Scat," transforming the piece into something more original, and nailing the synchronous fitting on the ostinato of the drums. A song all in one go. Brief in duration.
After all, other tracks in the album also sound more tight and fluid. This is the case with "Bad Brains", "E-G-O", with new wave nuances, "Demon's galore": here the vocalist gives his best. He shoots some tremendous high notes. Spine-chilling.
Of another fabric is the second single "Cut Off The Top". The reggae rhythm here is felt vibrating at the stomach's mouth and gradually spreads the vibration to the instruments. An appropriate volume on this piece will suggest the same sensations to you too. Try it to believe it. Furthermore, it doesn't seem like a reggae piece made just to fill an otherwise monotonous and monochrome record. On the contrary, the very opposite is true. The group believes in Moses Schneider's production so much as to use for this single powerful effects, wisely dosed; there are Moogs on offbeats, timbales, and subs in abundance. Everything needed to create reggae beats contaminated by contemporary dub and Ska-punk.
"Meantime", the last extract from Limbo Messiah, perhaps remains the most convincing.
"....Take me away to be closer.." Armin is shouting right in your face, and in no time, you find yourself worshiping the thousand colors that his screaming releases. In this, the Beatsteaks stand out from other punk bands of our days. Besides being technically talented, having, and conveying such energy, they have one more weapon. What distinguishes a Band with a capital B from all the others: the vocals' great interpretative skills, now powerful and shouted, now seductive and crystalline, all supported by a solid rhythmic base.
"She Was Great". I recommend it if you are perpetually seeking a song to dedicate to a 'her,' and have no intention to infest the airwaves with the likes of Massimo di Cataldo... The base is funky, indeed if we want to be picky it's actually a "Motown." Falsetto voices and respectable counterpoint. Soul friends debaseriani. Soul funky even, and who would have ever expected it from 5 punkish Germans. A tiny guitar over the obsessive monochord occupies the chorus, adding that surplus of movement and rock that never goes amiss.
In conclusion, a truly worthy performance. A band that overall you would never have believed capable of such new suggestions. Starting out of a garage in the metropolitan suburbs, they chase that dream first in the clubs and social centers of Berlin. Then on the most prestigious German stages, reaching the top, playing practically with everyone (Nofx, Pennywise, Lag wagon, Faith No More, and many, many others). That drive, that passion, that incessant joy. That tenacity that ignites and projects you to chase and make real what you believed only a product of cerebral synapses. Punk bands spring up every nanosecond, but stars one each entire generation. We are fortunate to be in the right one. We are lucky to be here!
Emilio Pantuliano
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 As I Please (02:34)
you don't guess my name
but i've come to rearrange
gotta put yourself at ease
i do exactly as I please
and I know you can be whole
so don't you ever forget that
listen it up and take the town forget about the circus
listen it up and fake the crown and bounce around the circus
listen to the ones who drive you home
now you guess my name
why i've come to rearrange
gotta put yourself at ease
i do exactly as i please
02 Jane Became Insane (02:44)
Jane became insane
Nanananana Nanananana
Jane became insane
Nanananana Nanananana
She's a high class fellow
There's something about her that you don't understand
She's got me revved up and ready to go
She got everything under control
She got everything under control, control, control
See her
Now she starts to undress
With a smile that you will never forget
Coming down with a clash to connect
She was out now she's up for success
Watch this
Nananananana Nanananana
I'm a high class fellow
There's something about me that you don't understand
I got you revved up and ready to go (to go)
I got everything under control, control, control
It's gonna hit me (hope i die before i collapse)
It's gonna hit me (hope i die before i collapse)
It's gonna hit me (hope i die before i collapse)
It's gonna hit me (hope i die before i collapse)
Jane became insane
There she goes again
She got everything under control, control, control
See her
Now she starts to undress
With a smile that you will never forget
Coming down with a clash to connect
She was out now she's up for success
Jane became insane
Nanananana Nanananana
Ohh, Jane became insane
Nanananana Nanananana
03 Sharp, Cool & Collected (02:08)
I like the stars
The city calls
I guarantee my heart
I get along
I can't go wrong
Yeah, now I am above it all
'Cause when it comes to love
I stay sharp, cool and collected
If the whole word goes kaputt, kaputt, kaputt
I can't take it
And I get all I ever wanted
I stay sharp, cool and collected ''(the "ted" is repeated staccato-like)''
I look for brains
You got the skills
Your walk is mean
You fit the bill
I work like mad
To shuck and jive
No matter how you spin this thing
'Cause when it comes to love
I stay sharp, cool and collected
If the whole word goes kaputt, kaputt, kaputt
I can't take it
Yeah, yeah, yeah
And I get all I ever wanted
Cause when it comes to
Lo-o-o-ove Lo-o-o-ove
I stay sharp, cool and collected
If the whole word goes kaputt, kaputt, kaputt
I can't take it
And I get all I ever wanted
I stay sharp, cool and collected ''(the "ted" is repeated staccato-like)''
04 Meantime (02:28)
Watch me overcome what I'm running from and change the tune
So I let it go what matters now is story soon
I get up
Try my luck
It starts to call on me
Never sure
How it feels
Let it rain on me
In the meantime you're in between time
In the meantime you're in between time
What I care to see
Lay your hands on me
And just for now
Let me bury too
What is scaring you
Is six feet underground
I got a whole bag of trouble to be taken away
And my veins keep throbbing when I'm out on display
Couldn't this be the moment you discover my intentions
Will you ever
Maybe never
Take me away to be closer
Take me away to be closer
In the meantime you're in between time
In the meantime you're in between time
In the meantime you're in between time
In the meantime you're in between time
05 Demons Galore (02:48)
This is mine it will never be yours
Stay away from what I love
'Cause it's the only thing I've got
Won't stick to those I can not trust
No matter how you gonna try
I never sell and you can't buy
So don't you tell what's up your sleeve
Lock it away and let me be
I don't mind
I don't care
Lock it away and let me be
This is mine it will never be yours
This is mine it will never be yours
I got mine and you got yours
It's written all over your skin
You never out the liar in
As if you know it's gonna be
The end of you the end of me
Ooooh! Ooooh!
You're going astray getting carried away
So breath and receive what you cannot believe
Until you know you know you know
Until you know you know I don't belong to anyone
Got to give it a break
We are going astray
Tried and true ways have been leading to Demons Galore
I got mine and you got yours
Burn down this ground meet your path then
This is mine it will never be yours
This is mine it will never be yours
This is mine it will never be yours
I got mine and you got yours
06 Cut Off the Top (03:02)
Check the meaning don't stop the teasing now
Watch the ceiling crushing down to the floor
If you want it get it coming after dark
Guess we make it faster than you ever thought
Climb this mountain to cut off the top
Damage, damage
First I swallow then I throw up
Damage, damage
Come and try me falling apart
Damage, damage
Climb this mountain to cut off the top
Damage, damage
Striped to the bone
Ready to go
You can never tell, getting hell, from being well, so let me spell
It's me against the world
It's me against the world
Climb this mountain to cut off the top
Damage, damage
First I swallow then I throw up
Damage, damage
Come and try me falling apart
Damage, damage
Climb this mountain to cut off the top
Damage, damage
I see at least you live by the rule ''Stop the fuss now pray for love (Sung during "rule")''
Now that you're stuck to the groove ''Raise your head now say goodbye (Sung during "groove")''
At least you live by the rule ''A sudden rush covers up my doubts (Sung during "rule")''
You never know how the drugs work out
Come down watch the whole thing explode
Come down watch the whole thing explode
Climb this mountain to cut off the top
Damage, damage
First I swallow then I throw up
Damage, damage
Come and try me falling apart
Damage, damage
Climb this mountain to cut off the top
Damage, damage
Kreuzberg, Kreuzberg!
07 Bad Brain (02:35)
Everyone is so kind as they waste my time
I will trade my mind for another
Rip my ticket to get over you
I feel sicker every time I try to prove
Grab my pocket while I stagger ahead
Can't you see that I need this ticket everyone I know is a drag
What's wrong with that boy again
What's wrong with that boy again
What's wrong with that boy again
What's wrong with that boy again
Talk into my hand
And get, get, get out. Yeah, get, get, get, get out
Everyone is so kind as they waste my time
I will trade my mind for another
Kick my habit with a punch to my head
Engineering tools to set me straight
Strike me harder to adjust the truth
For all to see trade apathy for remedy so I can feel for you
What's wrong with that boy again
What's wrong with that boy again
What's wrong with that boy again
What's wrong with that boy again
Talk into my hand
And get, get, get out. Yeah, get, get, get, get out
Eyes wide open lips are dry
Mind's forever doomed
I might be slightly overdressed
I'll be finished soon
Check my cover save my soul
Be my lover take the blow
Acting so damn naturally
Hush little baby do you really think
What's wrong with that boy again
What's wrong with that boy again
It's Roy with that bong again
What's wrong with that boy again
Talk into my hand
And get, get, get out. Yeah, get, get, get, get out
And get, get, get out. Yeah, get, get, get, get out
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