Rammstein - Reise Reise
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Free Music Notes for Reise Reise
Free Music Review: "We're all living in Amerika...COCA COLA!...WONDERBRA!"
Hit: 5 Stars
Reise, Reise(2004). Rammstein's fourth studio album.
How many bands come to mind when you bring up pulse-pounding rhythms, a steady and heavy rhythm guitar assault, techno-type synths, warish anthems, and a guy shouting random controversey in a lower-register German voice? Just one. Growing up late in the 90s, Rammstein were always a group I'd known about through their smash hit 'Du Hast' appearing in the Matrix movie, but I dismissed them as a one-hit-wonder band because everyone would overplay that song ad-nauseum. Great song, but it definitely needed its rest for a while after that time. Plus, I wasn't really into their sound quite yet back then. Over the years though I gradually developed a taste for all varieties of metal, and eventually more industrial stuff. So one day, I was looking for something new to listen to and for some reason Rammstein just caught my eye immediately, and I could see that they didn't just have one but several different albums over the years. I suddenly had a craving to check out what they've done. Because I hadn't really heard from them since 2000 and I saw that they were still around, I figured I should pick up their then-latest release and give it a shot. Why not?
So after cashing in for a copy of Reise, Reise, I was ready for that old familiar sound to come blaring out of the speakers with German chanting on top of it. But what I didn't expect was how much its change in sound would blow me out of the water. In the 3 year time frame between the height of their popularity and the release of this album, the band decided to focus more on the individual songwriting, further due to their need to progress from the more processed, techno-oriented stylings of the past in favor of a rawer production, bigger sound, more choirs, and heavier guitars.
Now none of this change in sound would matter at all if the songs themselves didn't measure up. Quite the opposite actually. There aren't just a few good tracks strewn around some random filler. These songs never feel like clones of one another. No, Reise Reise is actually a really well put together album! There isn't a single bad song on here, though some are definitely better than others. What's great though is that there is so much variety to be found among this collection compared to the three previous albums. Most of the songs are still very simple, catchy, and anthemic, but they tend to change their tone, tempo, and style so the songs don't just fade together. Honestly, I don't know of a better place for new fans to start than this release.
The title track starts things off rather nicely, pounding in at a slow, yet memorable chorus melody that lets people know that Rammstein is still alive, well and kicking. Plus, I always love to hear great combinations of different instruments together if they are utilized properly, which they managed to do with the guitars and accordian. 'Mein Tiel' pummels in slightly faster, and is definitely the heaviest track on here. The choirs at the end give it a nice fade out. Then the pace slows back down with 'Dalai Lama' which is very subdued with its melodic and haunting tendencies in sound, but is not quite a ballad either. I especially love the part with an airly feel to it where the vocals come in with,"Komm her, bleib hier..." 'Kiene Lust' is a bouncy metallic number that's probably different than what old fans might be accustomed to, yet it still holds up nicely. Once again, I love the outstanding bridge section on this track. Next up is 'Los' which is certainly one of their more experimental outings. Rammstein takes on... southern rock? Seriously, its got a steady arena beat lined with accoustic guitars and even a harmonica! Dare I say that it almost makes them sound like a German-speaking ZZ Top in places. Good stuff.
Wow... kicking off the second half of the disc has got to be THE catchiest song that I've ever heard that doesn't suck, in the form of the single 'Amerika'. It's so easy to memorize, so awesome, and it gets stuck in your head for days on end! Some people might dismiss it based on that fact, and also for its "anti-American" message, but look closer. It works because the whole point of the song is to be extremely simple and mainstream in nature, reflecting the excesses of America's impact of mass consumerism all over the world. That's all it is, it's not making fun of America itself. Rammstein almost never does solos, but I enjoy the one they placed after the line "This is not a love song..."
And if that one isn't awesome enough, Rammstein delivers a nice one-two punch with both 'Amerika' and then 'Moskau'. It turns up the pace even faster, and features several female vocal parts sung in Russian in addition to the usual German. This one also hooks you in with its blisteringly vibrant chorus. Whatever you do, don't try to read her lines unless you know Cyrillic script! Excellent usage of keyboards and driving guitar rhythms. Then finishing off the faster songs is 'Morgenstern', giving off an interesting drum beat during the chorus. From this point on the album, I agree with other reviewers who feel that they shouldn't have stuck three ballads right at the end of the disc because the album's flow drops off right here and finishes it off rather lightly. Not that they're bad songs at all, quite the contrary in fact. It's just that spreading them out earlier would benefit them much better. 'Stein Um Stein' and 'Amour' both indicate the direction that Rammstein's next album Rosenrot(2006) would take.
Okay, enough of my yacking! If you're a hardcore fan, I'm sure you probably have Reise, Reise already, so I don't need to say anything for you. Now for potential new fans who really want to see what these guys have been up to lately, and/or if you're looking for something great to listen to that's more simple, catchy, and heavy enough, then go pick this up right now! It made me a fan, and I've already gone on to collect their other albums. With the exception of Sehnsucht(1998), which is a late 90s industrial techno-metal classic, they're not quite as amazing as this one is, but still definitely worth having once you become accustomed to their sound. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Other suggestions:
-Any of their other stuff ['Herzeleid'(1995), 'Sehnsucht'(1998), 'Mutter'(2001), and 'Rosenrot'(2006)]
-'The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste('1990) by Ministry
-'Too Dark Park'(1990) by Skinny Puppy
Free Music Review: Facing the facts of Reise Reise
Hit: 5 Stars
Reise Reise is the fourth C.D. by Rammstein, and, in my opinion, one of the best. I'm shocked at how many people have spoken out against it and it's softer tone. It just isn't right to say you are a fan of a band unless you can accept that they don't always have to stick to the same genre over and over. Here's a breakdown of the eleven songs on the disc..
1. Reise Reise - (Arise Arise) Obviously the opener on the C.D, it starts out quite soft and gradually gets louder and breaks into the lyrics. It may seem like it has a poor melody in the beginning, but it quickly evolves into an amazing middle to end. It can be compared to the bueaty of Mein Herz Breannt, which was also a song heavily based on it's symphonic like melody. The song ends with a nice acordian solo and closes perhaps the best opener to all of their soundtracks.
5 of 5
2. Mein Teil - (My Part) This song starts out rather loud but is slow pacd. It's very traditional with the industrial style, and it's content reminded me immeadiently of Eifersucht. Though it took a really long time to grow on me, I now recognize it as one of the best songs on the C.D.
4 of 5
3. Dalai Lama - A mellow song with a dark theme, a plane that must crash and the passengers (especially a child) feelings as they plunge to their death. It has an interesting melody and is slow paced. This is a favorite of mine because of the strange melody.
5 of 5
4. Keine Lust (Don't Feel Like It) This song is hard from the beginning and is very much the traditional style of Rammstein. Though the beginning wasn't so great at first, it soon began to remind me ever so slightly of some of the castlevania music, and once it gets further in the song the melody and the intense beat picks up. The melody flows well with the rythem of the words as well, making it resemble, to me anyway, Reise Reise. Definatly one of the best on the soundtrack.
5 of 5
5. Los - (-less) Los is a play on the double meaning of word in German depending on where and how they are used. The song itself is soft but has an interesting rythem. Though it flows with the lyrics, it isn't such a catchy one. This doens't make the song bad however. One of the best.
4 of 5
6. Amerika - (America) We're all living in America ... Those are the opening words, sung in english. The chorus is in english, and the whole song basically talks about how many American cultures are spreading throughout the world, thus the analogy of 'living in america' and having to accept. It has a fairly repetitive melody accept during the mid-end, where it varies a bit. Overall good song.
4.5 of 5
7. Moskau - (Moscow) I hated this song at first, but it has slowly grown on me. It is also somewhat dirty in theme, as it refers blatantly to prostitution. Again, seems like it has no melody at first, but presents itself when Russian and German begin to be sung together. The two languages actually fit into the song nicely and flow with the melody. It does get a bit boring towards the end, but again, over all good.
4.5 of 5
8. Morgenstern - (Morning Star) Beatiful opening and song in general, has a very.. epic feel to it with the chorus in the back round, I can't exact place what it reminds me of.. maybe cathedral music.. Definatly worth listening to, although like Mein Teil had to grow on me.
5 of 5
9. Stein um Stein - ( Stone by Stone) Slow paced and soft, it has a strange opening melody and strange theme of the song in general.. Up to the rephrase very good, and after it very good as well. I like the theme of sadism, but I would suppose younger people wouldn't. Good song.
4 of 5
10. Ohne Dich - (Without You) Starts out soft and stays soft. This is a song of remorse, and quite acurately gets it's point across. It's melody flows perfectly with the words, which are simple. Out of all their songs it seems the easiest to understand to a person with basic german knowledge. It's theme of lost love reminds me of Nebel from Mutter. I would consider it the best song on the soundtrack.
5 of 5
11. Amour - (Love) The second best song on the soundtrack. The words may not seem to flow with the amazing melody at first but it slowly merges together to create a beautiful song of the uncontrollableness (...) of love. The ending is the worst part of the song, completely breaking away from it's soft theme and getting very rockish. It's just out of place.
4.5 of 5
As one can see, it definetly has a different style. I recommend this C.D. for anyone who is a TRUE fan of Rammstein and IS NOT AFRAID OF CHANGE. However, for all of you who believe Rammstein should only be a bunch of melodylos with lound banging noises and such, DO NOT GET IT. This is a very un-traditional soundtrack. It is soft and slow, not loud and Industrial. Overall it was a nice shift from the normal style, and is the only C.D. besides Mutter that I have found myself to like EVERY SINGLE TRACK ON THE DISC.
Free Music Review: Takes a bit of getting used to, but then...
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm a big fan of Rammstein, discovering them just after Mutter came out. After being blown away by that album, I waited with anticipation for their next, afraid they would botch it.
When Reise Reise finally arrived, I played it with much excitement, and a bit of fear. At first, I was disappointed, as it seemed a step back from Mutter. There were a few tracks I liked, like Ohne Dich, Amerika, and Moskau, but the others didn't really seem to connect with me.
Over a few weeks, however, the tracks began to grow on me, and I began to see it, not as a step back from Mutter, but more of a step to the side. I wouldn't say it's better than Mutter, but I don't think it's worse, either, hence the 5 stars. Now here's a track by track breakdown:
Reise Reise-4.5/5
Great track, very haunting, kind of orchestral, and it just has a sense of emotional weight behind it. I really can't think of a better way to describe it. Very solid.
Mein Teil-3/5
Many people like it, but it's my least favorite. The subject matter is pretty cool, but it just seems a bit... atonal for me. Still, a lot of metal fans will probably love it.
Dalai Lama-4.5/5
If you liked Spieluhr, you'll like this. Basically, it tells the story of a father and son flying home for mom's birthday, and they get hit by a wild storm. The boy starts hearing the winds calling him to come join them, saying they are his brothers. His father, so scared by the storm, holds the boy so tightly that he accidentally suffocates him. Quite creepy, in my opinion. Also, the fact that they based it on the Goethe poem "Erlkonnig" (and improved the story, I feel) is quite cool.
Keine Lust-5/5
Meaning "I don't feel like it," this was the first song to really grow on me. I really liked the verses, the sound being quite energetic, and I got a real sense of soaring in them. Very hard to describe, but also very cool to hear.
Los-4/5
This song has a definitely different vibe to it, more laid back, but not without that signature Rammstein feel. The word play, if you can find a decent translation, is also fun to look into.
Amerika 4.5/5
Does it bash America? Somewhat, but hey, I don't think we're perfect, and I happen to agree with the theme of the song. You, however, might not. The song itself, on the other hand, is incredibly catchy, and you might find yourself singing along, especially because it is partially in English (a brilliant move, in my opinion, as it fits in with the theme of American culture spreading all over the world). I liked it, you might not.
Moskau-4.5/5
Two positive points: Incredibly catchy (and I mean REALLY incredibly catchy. Almost annoyingly catchy, but not quite.), and it has lyrics in Russian, which is pretty cool, I think. A touch repetitive, but hey, nobody's perfect, eh?
Morgenstern-4/5
Good song, but not one of my favorites. I don't know why, but it didn't really connect with me that much. Musically, I thought it impressive (hence the 4 rating), but just not my cup o'tea.
Stein Um Stein-3.5/5
Same problems for me as Mein Teil, but those will probably be pluses to a lot of listeners. Good screaming, good wordplay, and a creepy theme make it decent.
Ohne Dich-5+/5
Ok, this one is my favorite, I make no bones about that. Nebel was one of my favorites from Mutter, and Rammstein definitely seems to be channeling Nebel here. Slow, sad, and haunting. Some people criticize them for going soft, but I consider this a brilliant demonstration of their range. If they can have me bouncing my head to Keine Lust, yet at the same time feel real sadness at the lyrics of this song, it just goes to show how good they are as musicians. Musically, lyrically, and even placement wise (following the harder Morgenstern and Stein um Stein), this is a standout track. Possibly my favorite Rammstein track (Nebel and Ich Will being other contenders). Okay, enough of my ranting.
Amour-4/5
Interesting. It's a slower song (kind of) and the comparison of love to a beast is cool. I also thought that initial notes were cool. The chorus is the best part, I think with the verses a little on the weak side. It also ends well, I feel.
Okay, that's the album. Rammstein fan? Buy it, and listen to it over the course of a few weeks if it doesn't seem to click right away. I think it will on repeated listening. It did for me.
On a side note, if you want a good lyrics translation site, go to herzeleid dot com. It's are not only very accurate, but also give cool little cultural notes to help you get some of the more subtle bits of the lyrics a straight translation might obscure.
Again, buy this album!
Free Music Review: They did it again
Hit: 5 Stars
Five stars does NOT justify any Rammstein album. they just keep out doing them selves with each album! The first time I listen to Rammstein was with the song Feuer Frei! on Triple-X album and I as in love. Then a friend of mine burned all their CDs for me and I haven't listend to anything else since. This is actually the second longest Rammstein album, but it doenst seem that way because of the way all the songs seem to go into each other.
Reise Reise-10/10. When I first put the CD into my computer all I heard was a bunch of wierd noises, but realized this was a special feature that is avalible on the German version, but it has to be rewound and was dissapointed that it was not the same for the American version. What your hearing is a flight recorder. On to the song. WOW!!! I love the Acordion at the end, and the haunting chorus. Till has the lowest voice of anyone I have ever heard, and he can sing great.
Mein Teil-10/10. I kind wore this one out listening to it on the Resident Evil: Apocolyps sound track, but I was able to get back into it. It more or less tells the story of the victim of a German Cannable. The Choir at the end is amazing, and the guitar solo is almost scary. Add Tills whisper and the snare drum in the background and you have a very dark song that is DEFINTLY Rammstein.
Dhali Lama-10/10. This is a very cool song. It tells the tale of a man and his child that get on a plane, but the father is afraid to fly, and in the end, he suffocates his son. It is based on a poem by Goethe, and the fact that the current Dhali Lama is also afraid to fly. It is slow, and somewhat haunting, and the sung chorus adds to it.
Keine Lust-10/10. Dhali Lama gives straight into this song, so it starts slow, but then you hear the thrashing guitar, and Till saying "Ich Hab' keine lust" (Literaly " I have no desire, or I dont feel like it) and how he doesn't want to do different things. The 'Mir ist Kalt' in the middle is somewhat reminiscant of Seeman from the Herzeleid album.
Los-10/10 Woah. Thats all I could say when I was done listening to this song. It takes Rammstein to a whole new level. The acustic guitar is a new thing for Rammstein, and I LOVE IT! It is very blusy, but it still has Tills deep resounding voice to back it up. A very different, but still very cool song.
Amerika-10/10. Contrary to what you might have been lead to believe, this song is not bashing on our beloved country. it more or less talks about how America is taking over the world with McDonalds, Nike shoes and all that good stuff (thats not in the translation. If you see the music video, you'll get it) The "coca cola, wonderbra" part is funny as hell. Add a kickin' guitar solo this makes for a great song.....
Moskau-10/10...that leads into this one. It talks about Moscow Russia, and it has a girl (NOT the girls from TATU. I looked it up in Lyrics book that came with the CD, and Its not them) singing the chorus in Russian, and it sounds awesome next to Tills German. The Acordion solo in the middle is really kool, and adds another interesting element, not just to Rammstein, but to Metal music everywhere. (How often does Industrial Metal use an accordion?)
Morgenstern-10/10. This is reminiscant of "Sonne" from the Mutter Album. (which I mantain to be one of Rammsteins best songs ever). The choir is an amazing contrast to the heavy guitars, and if you listen and the end of the song you can hear sort of a wailing sound that is awesome, and I think it adds a litte punch to the song.
Stein um Stein-10/10. It took me a litte while to get used to this song, but in the end, it is defenitly a Rammstein song, with Till screaming at the top of his lungs durng the chorus. The creepy sounding intro and verses add to it, and the guitar solo is amazingly wicked.
Onhe Dich-10/10. Ahh, the ballad. slow, sad, haunting. You can see him lost in the woods looking for someone. This is beautifly sung.
Amour-10/10. A slower song that doenst quite quallify for a ballad, but its still very kool. It compairs love to an animal. The keyboard solo is great, and it gets heavy enough at the end that your not disapointed (Not that I would have been otherwise). A great way to end the album.
Free Music Review: Arise, arise!
Hit: 5 Stars
Three years ago, Rammstein set forth on a voyage. Until then, they had been my one love, faithful and true, and they were missed. Eventually I came to miss them too much, and sought comfort in other German bands, Megaherz and the like. I feel shamed, dirtied, to have betrayed these musical geniuses with my infidelities. When their ship returned with the long-awaited "Reise, Reise" not only were my musical indiscretions forgiven, but they proved their love to me all over again with a triumphant album that literally sounds like nothing I have ever heard before.
The progressive sound of Mutter is here, but taken to an entirely new level. With the exception of the heavier "Mein Teil" it's hard to believe that this is the same Till Lindemann that simply growled out lyrics on Herzeleid. Till's voice has become both powerful and beautiful in a way you won't believe. The lyrical imagery is dark, but no longer in a way that evokes the idea of some personal grudge against Heaven itself. The album stands in heavy contrast to itself, alternating beauty and tension. Not one of these songs is less than amazing. I simply can't describe the experience of "Reise, Reise" adequately, but I would be deprived without it.
Reise, Reise: 5/5
Beautiful. Till's voice is amazing. My favorite song on the album.
Mein Teil: 5/5
Clever but twisted lyrics, extremely heavy music. Most like their previous work.
Dalai Lama: 4/5
After reading the lyrics on the internet, I expected this song to be a real disappointment. It wasn't. A very well executed take-off on Goethe's poem "Erlkoenig," this song has a personality greater than the sum of its parts. The lyrics are enhanced by the music, and the music couldn't stand without the lyrics. A captivating result.
Keine Lust: 4/5
Who would've thought debilitating depression would rock so hard? An interesting contrast between the fatalistic lyrics and driving beat on this song.
Los: 4/5
I think of this as the photographic negative of "Ich Will". This song seems to describe the various negative and disbelieving reactions to Rammstein the media and some people have had over the years. There's a strange feel to this song, too, almost a blues riff.
Amerika: 5/5
Rather than risk a flame war, let me just say that this is one of my favorite songs on the album.
Moskau: 5/5
Till is joined by a woman singing in Russian, for one of those songs that really gets your blood moving. This is allegedly Flake's current favorite.
Morgenstern: 5/5
Another fine example of Till's new vocal prowess. Combining a heavenly choir with a positively military beat, herein is the familiar idea of monstrous deformity. I think of this song as a thematic reprise of "Schwarzes Glas".
Stein um Stein: 5/5
Rather like the lyrics of this song, Till carries innocent little melodies into dark places where they shouldn't be and can't escape. Prior to editing this review, "Stein um Stein" was at the bottom of my list for this album, though still well liked. With repeated listening, the delightfully perverse lyrics have really grown on me and taken a spot among my all-time favorites.
Ohne Dich: 5/5
The clearest example of Till's beautiful voice. Beautiful melody. Beautiful lyrics. I can't find a single flaw in this song. Not one.
Amour: 4/5
Even more extremely clever lyrics. Ever felt torn apart by love? I sure have, and the metaphor of love as an aggressive wild animal makes perfect sense to me. And oh, look, Till can still hit those low notes that you feel down in your boots!
If you have any interest at all in Rammstein, you must, absolutely must, buy this NOW.