T.Raumschmiere - Blitzkrieg Pop

  by Maarten Schiethart

published: 18 / 9 / 2005

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The shifting within the German music industry shows in the moving of both labels and artists from cities like Cologne and Frankfurt to Berlin. Usually this is said to be because of a greater freedom out there. There are, however, few examples of an improvement after such a transgression takes place. Cologne's T.Raumschmiere (=Dreamcop) now has a second album out and, from a publicity point of view, its title is well-chosen. I am. however, a cynical man whose distrust is only fed by such matters. The opening moments of 'Blitzkrieg Pop' make you fear for the worst. With shouts in a language that's not his own our Dreamcop goes Dutch . Damn, is this Mute release aiming at the Rammstein market share? Ah, thank God, the lyrics of this rant about having ten thousand of watts to his avail lean towards self-mockery. So I keep it in the player in spite of this terrible FM post indie-punkrock opener. Just wonderful! I'm into track number five and I haven't heard any of his vocals again while fat glitches have passed by at an amazing pace. They are alas very much in the vein of 'Monster Trucker' which appeared on his previous album and there is nothing new here. 'A Very Loud Lullaby' , the eighth track, then shoots me back to my initial impression: this is marketing crap under the guise of a full-blown second album breakthrough. Its 1990's chemical beats meeting the elektro glitch of past years' releases. 'Blitzkrieg Pop' reminds of The Hacker and Miss Kittin in better days. Coming close to the perfection of elektro with a good story line, either by text or by melody, it's those guest vocals tracks that will put you off rather than the instrumentals. And the worst are the two that feature T.Raumschmiere himself. Think of a Bono or Bowie attempting at being hip post elektro glitch samplers. You will like Celine Dion after hearing this. T.Raumschmiere does not shy away from blunt housey beats in 'An Army of Watt' and again this further mention of watts saves T.Raumschmiere from total scrutiny. If you felt his first for Mute was a sell-out on his Kompakt-esthetics, this 'Blitzkrieg Pop' will annoy you even further. Fair enough, the instrumental bits and pieces do stand out amongst the radio friendly tracks ,but it's not enough! The title track must be one of the most obvious attempts at reaching both Toto and Rage Against The Machine audiences. It's the kind of track where you would like to reach for the destroy button. I have heard it once in its entirety. I'm that devoted. Ellen Alien proves to be the only guest vocalist delivering the goods. Check for yourself but to me this is a blitzkrieg plop flop. If you were into the Cheeky Girls, you'll love the tearing bonanza beats in 'An Army of Watt'. Think footie round-up TV signature tune!! Bad is the new good!

Track Listing:-

1 Intro
2 Sick Like Me
3 All Systems Go!
4 Untitled
5 Diving in Whiskey
6 Rumpelkammer
7 A Mess
8 A Very Loud Lullaby
9 Der Grottenholm
10 3 Minutes Happiness
11 An Army of Watt
12 Patridiot
13 Blitzkrieg Pop

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