Rammstein - Mutter
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Free Music Notes for Mutter
Free Music Review: Their best offering yet
Hit: 5 Stars
I was finally persuaded to get this album by hearing "Links 2 3 4" being done live on cable TV. As far as I'm concerned, this album combines what made "Herzeleid" and "Sehnsucht" good - then adds some more to finish the job.It's hard to pick a bad track here - so I won't. Every single track has at least one thing going for it, and most have many more.
The opener "Mein Herz Brennt" (my heart burns) is Rammstein at their best. Till's vocals are subdued enough early on to grab the listener's attention just before he screams the title and the metal kicks in. This is exactly the bombast that Rammstein can do so well - and exactly the missing ingredient from "Sehnsucht".
"Links 234" (left 2 3 4) is just the sort of track that should be written more often. The guitars and drumming are superb and Till's voice (asking various odd questions about hearts) alternates between ethereal whisper and drill-seargeant. If "Mein Herz Brennt" didn't grab the attention of anyone listening, this track must.
The other tracks are all equally good. the title track (mother) follows the "Seemann"/"Klavier" pattern that Rammstein have established on previous albums, and - while not adding very much to it - certainly proves that they haven't lost their touch. "Spieluhr" (which I translate as "playtime") follows that format but adds a lot more to it - making the effect a lot more gloomy than before. Then there's "Ich Will" (I want) which is tailor made to perform live - Till actually asks the audience if they can see, hear and "feel" him before saying that he can't understand them.
"Sonne" is another example of just how far Rammstein have come in 3 studio albums. Where on "Herzeleid", Till opted not to sing much, here his vocals carry the track. The effect is almost operatic and the chorus will stick in your head for days afterwards. "Nebel" is also a good slow burner. Beginning very quietly before rising to a spectacular crescendo, it is a great way to bring the album to a close.
There are even some elements of - gasp - humour on "Mutter". The title track is based around a person not having a mother and seems to almost send up the bleak imagery that Rammstein uses. The best example of humour, however, is found on "Zwitter" (hermaphrodite).
As well as featuring a different side of Till's voice on the chorus, the song deals with being a hermphrodite. Where on "Herzeleid" it would have left bits to the imagination, or on "Sehnsucht" made a big deal out of repulsing the listener, on "Mutter" Till makes it incredibly funny. We have lines which (translated) read "I am alone but not alone/because I can be with myself" and "I sleep with myself every afternoon". All of these build up to the climax as Till describes talking to attractive girls "when they say you/I can". Humour it may be - but it is actually very cleverly written humour (another sign that Till may have matured into a songwriter who writes lyrics - rather than writes slogans to be shouted over guitar riffs).
Everything here is slightly more mature and self-assured than on the previous albums. It seems that Rammstein have taken the success in stride and, while hoping for more of it, have decided to remain true to the metalheads who got them there rather than to sell out or fade away.
On the whole - an incredibly accomplished album. One that will be played many times over by a varied audience.
Free Music Review: 7 year owner of the album, late to the reviewers' party, but still, WOW!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is the first Rammstein album I've owned and contains some of the first Rammstein songs I'd ever listened to. Having a taste for alternative rock and some heavy metal, I was studying abroad in München (that's Munich), Germany, during the summer of 2001 and found out that one of their new albums was out. I went into a local record store there and purchased "Mutter", almost on a whim (having up to that point only heard their single "Links", and watched the awesome music video thereof).
Having written a few reviews on here almost upon purchasing other albums, I have no idea why I'd never bothered to write one for Mutter. Quite frankly, it's up there as one of my most favorite albums of all time!
I'm not going to go song by song by song, but I will tell you that I feel that every song on this album is worth a listen - those that lack musically make up for it in lyrical depth and cleverness (very typical of Rammstein!).
Nonetheless, highlights:
-- "Adios": A fast-paced, punk and grunge-like tribute to a musician who dies of a heroin overdose. Hmm, wonder who that was.
-- "Zwitter" (Hermaphrodite): Don't let this addictive dance track's beat hide its clever lyrics from you. From my interpretation, it's about two lovers (perhaps spouses) who become so in love and entwined that they essentially merging into one, making activities such as say, buying roses, completely moot. Furthermore, this couple/hermaphrodite is (as per the lyrics) not offended when to go told to f*ck itself. Not kidding.
-- "Mutter" (Mother): Title track. Absolutely gorgeous verses and symphonic backing. Wish there were an actual chorus, though. Interestingly, my mother loved the song (and she doesn't know a lick of German).
-- "Nebel" (Fog): Amazingly haunting orchestral backing to a track about a man and his dying wife.
-- "Links" (Left): Amazing irony and contrast between the musical feel and the lyrics. The former reminds one of a Nazi/militaristic march, but the lyrics are about the band being quite the opposite! The video is probably the best music video I've ever seen (you may wish to look it up on YouTube).
-- "Mein Herz Brennt" (My Heart Burns): "Rolaids" puns aside, this lyrical tribute to Metallica's "Enter Sandman" is a great example of where a staccato orchestra can really make a song frightening and yet cool!
There are other highlights, including the first European single, "Sonne" (Sun) (about a champion Polish boxer; the original working title was in fact the name of the boxer, which at this time I forget). Others include the pressure cooker "Feuer Frei!" (Fire Away!) as well as the fan-mobbing "Ich Will" (I Want).
There may be a couple I left out. But that doesn't matter. What DOES matter, though, is that this album is the only one out of the 10 I've reviewed (as of September 2008) to garner FIVE stars. The other great albums I own (including others by Rammstein) only get four.
So, in conclusion: For an 11 track rock-solid hard-rocking album with a deep teutonic and gothic underside, "Mutter" is the first place to shop.
Free Music Review: The Best Of The Best
Hit: 5 Stars
Originally hearing "Feuer Frie!" in the opening of XXX, I was hooked from the moment I heard them. Rammstein goes absolutely nuts in their latest CD, dishing out the best of an already awesome musical set. Whether or not you speak German, whether or not you're into rock and metal and whether or not you enjoy songs about violence or sex, this is a must-have album.
"Mein Herz Brennt" - The album begins quietly, gradually building up to the harmonic chorus. A great song in itself and an excellent way to start the album, though you've yet to hear the best of it. 8.5/10
"Link 2 3 4" - Somehow this song remins me of Wolfenstein 3D. Rammstein almost creates a new rock genre here. I could just see 'Military Metal' as another subsection in ten or so years. Very exhilerating, with an excellent beat. 9.5/10
"Sonne" - The rather odd and misleading beginning to this song actually carries into its chorus. Til counts from one to nine, ending with 'Out!' The rest of the song is very powerful, relying more on choir than on guitars. 9/10
"Ich Will" - Rammstein succesfully recreates the feeling of a live band getting feedback from their audience. The song is very enjoyable, but Rammstein does much better throughout the rest of the album. 8.5/10
"Feuer Frie" - The ULTIMATE heavy metal song, and I mean it. Metalheads will listen to this song time and time again. Even if you're not into Rammstein's heavier stuff, you're going to love this one. An absolute masterpiece. 10/10
"Mutter" - Possibly the best song in the album, owing to emotional value. It's not Rammstein's heaviest, but it does have the deepest impact. Following the tale of a child born in a science lab, its heavy chorus seems to vibrate throughout your body. Chances are you'll need to listen to it more than once to absorb it, though. 10/10
"Spielhur" - A very subjective song; you'll either love it or find it mediocre. Very nice beat, excellent rythm and a definite variation in instruments. 9/10
"Zwitter" - One of Rammstein's heavier and more amusing songs, Zwitter follows the tale of a hermaphrodite. Very fast-paced. 9.5/10
"Rein Raus" - Yet another of Rammstein's heavier songs, Rein Raus is similar to "Link 2 3 4," in its tune and rythm. This one is based off sex, which is all the more reason to learn German. ;) 9.5/10
"Adios" - Starting off slow, Adios builds up to a heavy climax with an excellent riff. A favourite of many fans. 9.5/10
"Nebel" - A great way to end the album, Nebel is the slowest track on the CD, and it describes a man's last kiss. Metalheads may be disappointed; otherwise it can be viewed as Rammstein's best. 9.5/10
This is Rammstein's best, and hopefully not their last. This band is getting much closer to achieving musical perfection, and you're only doing yourself a favour by purchasing "Mutter."
Free Music Review: One of my top 5 favorite albums of all time.
Hit: 5 Stars
Rammstein is an amazing sextet from Germany that has managed to gain popularity here in the states, despite the fact that their vocals are almost always in German. On this, their best album, they combine industrial metal with classical and the formula works like a charm. However, the techno music used on this album is not like that used on earlier songs like Du Hast, Eifersucht, and Du Riechst So Gut. It fits into the song perfectly without standing out. Some songs are heavier than others and some contain more techno or more string arrangements and orchestra parts. Every song, however, is excellent, even though I don't understand German. I once searched the internet for translated lyrics, but I didn't like some of the lyrics for certain songs on Herzeleid and Sehnsucht, so I decided that I didn't want to know the lyrics for Mutter. Therefore, my review will focus on the music itself. The album begins with Mein Herz Brennt, a song that starts out slow with beautiful strings and then erupts into heaviness. This song also features acoustic guitar. The second song is Links 2-3-4, which opens with the sound of marching because it is a marching anthem (Links 2-3-4 means Left 2-3-4). It is a real headbanger. The third song is Sonne, which is my favorite song of all time by any artist. It is very heavy but also indescribably beautiful. I never get tired of listening to it. Next comes Ich Will, a mid-tempo song with eerie techno and angry vocals including the sound of a shouting crowd, followed by Feuer Frei. Feuer Frei (Open Fire) is a heavy song with unique techno mixed in, including the sound of gunfire. Unfortunately, it always reminds me of the dumb movie XXX. The sixth song, Mutter, is the first of two ballads on the album. It contains beautiful singing by Till Lindemann, who has one of the best singing voices I have ever heard. It also contains dramatic strings and has a somewhat sad vibe. Next comes Spieluhr, a moderately heavy song that features a child's voice during the chorus and the sound of a music box playing, followed by Zwitter, my least favorite song on the album. Rein Raus comes next, another headbanger that makes for a great live performance, followed by Adios. Even though Adios is a Spanish word, this song is still in German. It is both heavy and soft, and features a techno 'solo' if you will. The final track is the second ballad, Nebel, which brings an amazing album to an amazing close. Nebel has strings of course, and it also has one of the longest first verses of a song that I have ever heard. It is very dramatic, but still beautiful. This album overall is very unique and original, as well as diverse. It contains heavier songs like Links 2-3-4 and Feuer Frei, softer songs like Mutter and Nebel, and songs that are somewhere in between, such as Mein Herz Brennt and Sonne. Rammstein's album Mutter may be an acquired taste, but it's a taste well worth acquiring.Free Music Review: Best effort yet
Hit: 5 Stars
Keeping their pummeling double rhythm guitar sound and weird synthy techno vibe alongside Till's haunting dark voice and throwing more melody into the mix, Rammstein is destined to go skyhigh with this release, attracting new fans with their different type of melody than past releases yet still maintaining their hardcore edge enough to keep their old fans listening. Rammstein is truly one of the few original bands being worked into mainstream rock/metal music today and is very deserving of the growing success they are getting. Although all of the lyrics are in German, you can feel the power and emotion in both the vocals and the music itself, making it a wise investment for any rock and metal fan regardless of language.Till's voice soars even moreso than ever before and with a different touch this time, using his clean voice where it's appropriate and well placed, such as in "Nebel", and going right to his trademark shout or German throat growl in "Rein Raus", "Feuer Frei!", and "Zwitter." This is definitely the furthest he has taken his vocals on any of their albums.
As for the rest of the band, it's safe to say that their playing has evolved much since Sehnsucht, although that album is an great work of its own. The two rhythm guitars backed by the pounding bass make for a thick, crunching sound irregular today when weak, petty riffs will sell millions of albums (Creed, Nickelback, Puddle Of Mudd). The guitar section, including the bassist, show that simplicity can really go a long way and can contribute more to the song than a blinding speed metal solo, while still keeping an air of originality. The drums are powerful as well, keeping a steady rhythm all the time instead of jumping all over the set. Although the drumming is also primitively crushing, this is much appreciated in the same manner as the guitars, where simplicity yet relentlessness drives the instrument. The complexity comes in with the bands keyboard player, layering numerous synth lines, all lavish and catchy, yet odd, profound, and experimental at the same time. Some of the best examples of this can be found in his analog intro to "Ich Will" and the female vocal sampling near the end of "Sonne".
Rammstein is truly an original band and it is nice to see hope in the future of heavy music, unlike the aforementioned groups who shouldn't even be considered music. Their influences are obviously along the lines of Nine Inch Nails, KMFDM, and Ministry, but Rammstein's sound is original enough to make you wonder how did they think of such a thing before you did. Check this out along with "Live Aus Berlin", a powerful live album that captures the bands outstanding performance. This is one of the best releases in the last 2 years and they have definitely overcome the non-serious attitude with which some listeners took "Du Hast".