published: 8 /
7 /
2010
Label:
Warner Bros
Format: CD
Superb 80's hardcore-influenced on debut album from hard working and energetic German group, Beatsteaks
Review
Inspired by the early 80’s American hardcore scene and citing the likes of Black Flag and Minor Threat as major influences, Beatsteaks have a similar sort of energy and appeal. Spurred on by the fact that those groups’ focus was on the heart of what they were playing, rather than perfect musicianship, Beatsteaks have a similar knack for writing catchy songs that stick great choruses in the middle of their raw punk tunes. The fact that they throw out as well names like Queen and Keith Moon as their other influences makes perfect sense. Their sound balances together all those acts, but it isn’t forced and never sounds like it has been cut and pasted.
Singer Arnim Teutoburg-Weiss has a fantastic voice that is rough enough to have an edge, but isn’t at all painful to listen to. Arnim really puts himself out there on ‘She Was Great’ singing in an almost falsetto voice. ‘Cut Off the Top’ meanwhile has an almost ska feel to it and gives a modern twist on that raw reggae/ska/punk mix that was so prevalent in the early 80’s British punk scene.
The band who are originally from Berlin are a true punk band in that they pretty much do all the extra curricular, but essential activities that go with being in a band themselves, respectively taking care of making merchandise, answering emails, taking internet orders and looking after the band’s equipment.
This band just continue to impress me. I really hope Beatsteaks go on to gain more and more recognition as they are fantastically rounded for a punk group. They just seem to have everything a great band should have. They have the ability to sing and play from the heart, make songs that are far more than just aggressive or energetic, Stand out tracks, ‘Hail to the Freaks’ and ‘Soljanka’ , would make fantastic potential singles. There is a real soul to ‘Limbo Messiah’ which you rarely find these days. The fact that they do so much of the behind the scenes work themselves just makes me love them even more.
Track Listing:-
1
As I Please
2
Jane Became Insane
3
Sharp, Cool & Collected
4
Meantime
5
Demons Galore
6
Cut off the Top
7
Bad Brain
8
She Was Great
9
Soljanka
10
Hail to the Freaks
11
E-G-O
Label Links:-
http://www.warnerbrosrecords.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/warnerbrosrec