Today, a review : Kaizers Orchestra's latest album, 'Maskineri'.
Sometimes, seemingly out of the blue, a band shows up that has a totally unique sound or style. Either they develop their own thing, or elaborate unexpectedly on an already existing thing. When Kaizers Orchestra appeared in 2000 with their debut full-length 'Ompa til du dør (Ompa till you die) ', they immediately struck a chord with people who seek out the different, the challenging. I read a review of the album and went out and got the album a few days later. Sung entirely in their native Norwegian, the album mixed punk-rock with balkan-folk, guitar solos and lyrics about a gangster dynasty. I was caught right away. And I was along for the next two albums, two eps and a live album taped at a concert I attended! How cool is that! The music remained largely the same. Loud, with solid rhythms (often brought on by oil-can drumming), polka song-structures and far-out lyrics. So far so good. But eventually, most bands with a distinctive style eventually feel a need to further develop on it or experiment with something new. This brings us to Kaizers' 4th full-length album, 'Maskineri (Machinery)'.
What
Fourth album, released by Sony/BMG internationally in February 2008. Same length as the other three albums (all of them last between 42 and 45 minutes), spread out over 12 songs.
Some new instruments, like marimba, have been added to the sound-scape.
The first thing that comes to mind when listening to this album is how quiet it is, compared to their previous albums. There are not as many songs with whacky polka-rhythms as previously, and the oil-can drumming and pump-organ driven backing seems to have generally taken a back-seat to make way for other instruments. The first song 'Moment' does start out with a dominant rhythm, but songs like the delicate 'Den andre er meg (the other is me)' have hardly any rhythm at all but seem to develop kind of randomly. 'Den andre er meg' also features a first for a Kaizers record, a duetting female vocal. Generally the album also feels kind of slow compared to the previous albums, even though it's the same length.
Of course it isn't a total change. Small steps, after all. 'Toxic Blod' and 'Bastard sønn (bastard son)' follow the same pattern as many of the bands most popular songs, and 'Bastard sønn' in particular has some great lyrics.
And while we're on the lyrics, it doesn't seem like Kaizers are much preoccupied with elaborating on their previous story about the mob dynasty. The songs on 'Maskineri' are pretty much individual stories, and do not seem to be about anyone in particular. This is kind of a shame because the twisted stories of their previous albums was very exciting to follow.
My take
This album is the Kaizers album that has taken the longest to get under my skin. I must confess I liked their harder, edgier material better, progress be damned. Initially I was dissapointed, and found only a few songs to cling on to on the album. But it is an album that grows with repeated listening, and the band should be applauded for trying to expand their horizons. I look forward to finding out if this is the new style of the band, or just a temporary creative detour.
I award this album a cautious but recommendable ****** out of 10, because even if they seem to have watered it down a bit, Kaizers style is still innovative and they are still forging ahead with their own vision without much compromise.
Best and worst
The best songs on the album are 'Moment', 'Bastard Sønn' and 'Volvo i Mexico'. These elaborate well on the bands previously laid foundation.
The worst songs are the boring 'Enden av November (The end of November)' and 'Kaizers 115. drøm (Kaizers 115th dream)'. It is fine that the band want to try something new, but songs that are this quiet and don't go anywhere, doesn't seem like the ideal way to go.
lørdag den 19. april 2008
mandag den 7. april 2008
Who are... Gasolin'!
Second time around for the 'Who are...' feature. Today, Denmark's biggest rock band through the ages - Gasolin' !
Who
In the beginning, Gasolin' consisted of singer/rhythm-guitarist Kim Larsen, lead guitarist/sax-player Franz 'Mr. Stone-free' Beckerlee, bass-player/Keyboard player Wili Jönsson and drummer Björn Uglebjerg. The band was formed in 1969, and released a handful of rock singles while playing local taverns, and local parties. Right from the begining, there was a lot of tension in the band between Larsen, who insisted on danish and humorous lyrics, and Beckerlee who wanted Hendrix-style guitar with jazzy song arrangements. Somehow they managed to co-exist, but the constant arguments was too much for drummer Uglebjerg who soon left the band, and was replaced by Gasolin' fan Søren 'Charlie' Berlev. This became the definitive Gasolin' lineup, that would last until 1979/1980. The music started out as pop/rock on the first couple of albums, but starting with album 3 the style turned more towards a heavier brand of rock, inspired by Gasolin's favourites like Jimi Hendrix, Mott the Hoople and Queen.
Releases of note
Gasolin' (1971)
Gasolin' 2 (1972)
Gasolin' 3 (1973)
Stakkels Jim ('Poor Jim', 1974)
The last Jim (Stakkels Jim in english, released in US, UK, 1974)
Gas 5 (1975)
What a lemon (Gas 5 in english, released in US, UK, Japan, 1975)
Live - Sådan ('Live - like that' 1976)
Efter endnu en dag ('After another day', 1976)
Gør det noget ('Does it matter', 1977)
Killin' time (various old songs, in english, 1978)
Gøglernes aften - Live i Skandinavien ('Carnies night - Live in Scandinavia' 1978)
The early years (Early singles and b-sides released on CD, 2000)
Add to this about 30 single releases, and 4-5 compilations, one of which (The Black Box, 2003) contains all 7 original danish studio albums, 'Live Sådan' and a disc of rare material.
The albums 'Gas 5' and 'Efter endnu en dag' contains some songs with english lyrics.
In Depth
Gasolin' (or Gas') became popular in a hurry, and were a popular concert attraction. But in 1975 with the release of Gas 5, they became the biggest rock band in Denmark and also became quite large in neighbouring countries Sweden, Norway and Germany. For the album, Gas managed to get producer Roy Thomas Baker, known for his success with Queen, and much admired by Gas. The album contained the following songs, 3 of which became the bands biggest hits:
1. Rabalderstræde
2. Fatherless Hill (english)
3. Lonesome Avenue (english)
4. Sjagge
5. Masser af success
6. Refrainet er frit
7. Kvinde min
8. 1975
9. Sct. Emetri
10. Good time Charlie (english)
The high points, on a near perfect album:
'Rabalderstræde' starts out the album brilliantly, an ode to the street where Gas spent a lot of their time as big kids, among bikers, pushers, prostitutes and similar people. It features some great guitar from Beckerlee set to some brilliant rhythm work from the bass and drums, and a lyric everyone from Copenhagen at the time could probably relate to. The song had 2 'fake' endings where the music faded out and then returned even louder, and Gas used this to great effefct when playing live, often stretching the song to 9-10 minutes.
'Fatherless Hill', entirely in english, featured backing vocals by members of all-girl group Sh*t and Chanel. The song shows a bit of Larsen's shortcomings when it comes to english, but it has a great chorus that is instantly memorable. Larsen was never the greatest poet in english, but this song, and 'This is my life' from the 'Efter endnu en dag' album were great attempts.
Examples from the lyrics: 'Well thank you Mr. Jesus, thank you for the game - I've been through many changes, but you're still the same' / 'Oh sister and brother, and sweet little mother - let's go, let's go to the mill, on fatherless hill'.
The tempo is taken down a bit in the songs 'Masser af success' and 'Kvinde min', two of the groups most loved compositions that are still heavily featured on danish radio today. 'Masser af success (Lots of Success)' was Gas' response to their surging popularity. They were finding it hard to maintain a healthy private life away from being rock stars, and this touching lyric about life on the road showed that they we're having a problem coming to terms with their recognition.
'Kvinde min (My woman)' was the most obvious love song they ever wrote, focusing on telling the subject of the lyrics that in spite of the problems that may occur in a relationship, they should have faith in love to guide them through. This is probably the most frequently covered song sung in danish.
'Good time Charlie' would go on to become the opening number on the ensuing tour, being an encouragement to enjoy life and party instead of fearing for war. Example from the lyrics: 'They say the boom is coming, the rats are running - but me and Camilla, we're sipping tequila'.
In english, the track listing was as follows:
1. What a lemon (Rabalderstræde)
2. Fatherless Hill
3. Lonesome avenue
4. Rebel run (Sjagge)
5. Lots of success (Masser af success)
6. It's all the same to an american dane (Refrainet er frit)
7. Lady oh Lady (Kvinde min)
8. Sad song of a bluebird (Sct. Emetri)
9. Rabalderstræde
10. The last Jim (instrumental, taken from 'Stakkels Jim/The last Jim')
Unfortunately, perhaps due to their inadequate english, Gas never made it big in England OR the US. They continued to be huge in Europe though, until they folded in 1980 to make way for Larsens growing solo career. The albums in english are well worth hearing though, and may be the best starting point for those who don't understand danish.
Best and worst
The best album, by a wide margin, is Gas 5, in danish. For non-danish speakers, 'Killin' time' may be the best place to start because those songs were written in english, then translated to danish, instead of the other way around which was usually the case.
The best song, in my opinion, is found elsewhere though.
On the album 'Efter endnu en dag', there is a song in english called 'This is my life', which is a slow and quiet song lamenting war, and aging. It features an opera singer in a middle portion, and contains the best lyrics the group ever wrote in english. The song would later be the best song on 'Gøglernes aften - Live i Skandinavien', where it was played in a faster, more rocking version, but retained it's melancholy and lamenting feel. The lyrics, in full:
------------------------------------------
This is my life - this is my time
Show me the light, and I'll go there
Give me the wine - bitter and sweet
And a little bit of bread, that's all I need
No no no I don't want the gold from Xanadu
I think I'll leave it all to you
This is my life and I don't care
This is my street - oh you restless feet
Carry me on to anywhere
Take the fear - take it away
And give me some hope for one more day
I saw a ghost behind the door
When the kids were coming home from the war
With broken dreams, and nothing more
I heard a woman, singing her song
And it was good, and warm and strong
Oh she makes me cry, I don't know why
(opera in studio version, great guitar solo in live version)
No no no I don't want to bring you down
I declare it's good to be here
This is my life and I don't care
----------------------------------------
Other recommended songs:
'Stakkels Jim' (Poor Jim), Gas' reworking of Auld Lang Syne complete with Hendrix guitar and futuristic lyrics about mankind leaving the cities behind and going back to nature.
'Kloden drejer stille rundt' (Slowly the world turns), a great track about a man reflecting on his day before going to sleep.
Worst is kind of hard to pick, but I have to go with the first album which contains all of one hit, 'Langebro', so it is kind of a boring album all in all. From there, the albums got better and better up to and including 'Efter endnu en dag', and then came a kind of lacklustre seventh album to finish Gasolin's studio days.
Who
In the beginning, Gasolin' consisted of singer/rhythm-guitarist Kim Larsen, lead guitarist/sax-player Franz 'Mr. Stone-free' Beckerlee, bass-player/Keyboard player Wili Jönsson and drummer Björn Uglebjerg. The band was formed in 1969, and released a handful of rock singles while playing local taverns, and local parties. Right from the begining, there was a lot of tension in the band between Larsen, who insisted on danish and humorous lyrics, and Beckerlee who wanted Hendrix-style guitar with jazzy song arrangements. Somehow they managed to co-exist, but the constant arguments was too much for drummer Uglebjerg who soon left the band, and was replaced by Gasolin' fan Søren 'Charlie' Berlev. This became the definitive Gasolin' lineup, that would last until 1979/1980. The music started out as pop/rock on the first couple of albums, but starting with album 3 the style turned more towards a heavier brand of rock, inspired by Gasolin's favourites like Jimi Hendrix, Mott the Hoople and Queen.
Releases of note
Gasolin' (1971)
Gasolin' 2 (1972)
Gasolin' 3 (1973)
Stakkels Jim ('Poor Jim', 1974)
The last Jim (Stakkels Jim in english, released in US, UK, 1974)
Gas 5 (1975)
What a lemon (Gas 5 in english, released in US, UK, Japan, 1975)
Live - Sådan ('Live - like that' 1976)
Efter endnu en dag ('After another day', 1976)
Gør det noget ('Does it matter', 1977)
Killin' time (various old songs, in english, 1978)
Gøglernes aften - Live i Skandinavien ('Carnies night - Live in Scandinavia' 1978)
The early years (Early singles and b-sides released on CD, 2000)
Add to this about 30 single releases, and 4-5 compilations, one of which (The Black Box, 2003) contains all 7 original danish studio albums, 'Live Sådan' and a disc of rare material.
The albums 'Gas 5' and 'Efter endnu en dag' contains some songs with english lyrics.
In Depth
Gasolin' (or Gas') became popular in a hurry, and were a popular concert attraction. But in 1975 with the release of Gas 5, they became the biggest rock band in Denmark and also became quite large in neighbouring countries Sweden, Norway and Germany. For the album, Gas managed to get producer Roy Thomas Baker, known for his success with Queen, and much admired by Gas. The album contained the following songs, 3 of which became the bands biggest hits:
1. Rabalderstræde
2. Fatherless Hill (english)
3. Lonesome Avenue (english)
4. Sjagge
5. Masser af success
6. Refrainet er frit
7. Kvinde min
8. 1975
9. Sct. Emetri
10. Good time Charlie (english)
The high points, on a near perfect album:
'Rabalderstræde' starts out the album brilliantly, an ode to the street where Gas spent a lot of their time as big kids, among bikers, pushers, prostitutes and similar people. It features some great guitar from Beckerlee set to some brilliant rhythm work from the bass and drums, and a lyric everyone from Copenhagen at the time could probably relate to. The song had 2 'fake' endings where the music faded out and then returned even louder, and Gas used this to great effefct when playing live, often stretching the song to 9-10 minutes.
'Fatherless Hill', entirely in english, featured backing vocals by members of all-girl group Sh*t and Chanel. The song shows a bit of Larsen's shortcomings when it comes to english, but it has a great chorus that is instantly memorable. Larsen was never the greatest poet in english, but this song, and 'This is my life' from the 'Efter endnu en dag' album were great attempts.
Examples from the lyrics: 'Well thank you Mr. Jesus, thank you for the game - I've been through many changes, but you're still the same' / 'Oh sister and brother, and sweet little mother - let's go, let's go to the mill, on fatherless hill'.
The tempo is taken down a bit in the songs 'Masser af success' and 'Kvinde min', two of the groups most loved compositions that are still heavily featured on danish radio today. 'Masser af success (Lots of Success)' was Gas' response to their surging popularity. They were finding it hard to maintain a healthy private life away from being rock stars, and this touching lyric about life on the road showed that they we're having a problem coming to terms with their recognition.
'Kvinde min (My woman)' was the most obvious love song they ever wrote, focusing on telling the subject of the lyrics that in spite of the problems that may occur in a relationship, they should have faith in love to guide them through. This is probably the most frequently covered song sung in danish.
'Good time Charlie' would go on to become the opening number on the ensuing tour, being an encouragement to enjoy life and party instead of fearing for war. Example from the lyrics: 'They say the boom is coming, the rats are running - but me and Camilla, we're sipping tequila'.
In english, the track listing was as follows:
1. What a lemon (Rabalderstræde)
2. Fatherless Hill
3. Lonesome avenue
4. Rebel run (Sjagge)
5. Lots of success (Masser af success)
6. It's all the same to an american dane (Refrainet er frit)
7. Lady oh Lady (Kvinde min)
8. Sad song of a bluebird (Sct. Emetri)
9. Rabalderstræde
10. The last Jim (instrumental, taken from 'Stakkels Jim/The last Jim')
Unfortunately, perhaps due to their inadequate english, Gas never made it big in England OR the US. They continued to be huge in Europe though, until they folded in 1980 to make way for Larsens growing solo career. The albums in english are well worth hearing though, and may be the best starting point for those who don't understand danish.
Best and worst
The best album, by a wide margin, is Gas 5, in danish. For non-danish speakers, 'Killin' time' may be the best place to start because those songs were written in english, then translated to danish, instead of the other way around which was usually the case.
The best song, in my opinion, is found elsewhere though.
On the album 'Efter endnu en dag', there is a song in english called 'This is my life', which is a slow and quiet song lamenting war, and aging. It features an opera singer in a middle portion, and contains the best lyrics the group ever wrote in english. The song would later be the best song on 'Gøglernes aften - Live i Skandinavien', where it was played in a faster, more rocking version, but retained it's melancholy and lamenting feel. The lyrics, in full:
------------------------------------------
This is my life - this is my time
Show me the light, and I'll go there
Give me the wine - bitter and sweet
And a little bit of bread, that's all I need
No no no I don't want the gold from Xanadu
I think I'll leave it all to you
This is my life and I don't care
This is my street - oh you restless feet
Carry me on to anywhere
Take the fear - take it away
And give me some hope for one more day
I saw a ghost behind the door
When the kids were coming home from the war
With broken dreams, and nothing more
I heard a woman, singing her song
And it was good, and warm and strong
Oh she makes me cry, I don't know why
(opera in studio version, great guitar solo in live version)
No no no I don't want to bring you down
I declare it's good to be here
This is my life and I don't care
----------------------------------------
Other recommended songs:
'Stakkels Jim' (Poor Jim), Gas' reworking of Auld Lang Syne complete with Hendrix guitar and futuristic lyrics about mankind leaving the cities behind and going back to nature.
'Kloden drejer stille rundt' (Slowly the world turns), a great track about a man reflecting on his day before going to sleep.
Worst is kind of hard to pick, but I have to go with the first album which contains all of one hit, 'Langebro', so it is kind of a boring album all in all. From there, the albums got better and better up to and including 'Efter endnu en dag', and then came a kind of lacklustre seventh album to finish Gasolin's studio days.
onsdag den 2. april 2008
3 of a kind - All along the watchtower
New category - Three of a kind! Comparing 3 versions of the same song. Today: All along the watchtower.
Original
'All along the watchtower' was written by Bob Dylan in 1967, and appeared on his album from that year, John Wesley Harding. Most of 1967 had been quiet for Dylan following his motorcycle accident, and when he returned with the JWH album, he had gone back to the largely acoustic style of his initial albums. AATW featured a simple melody and Dylan's trademark harmonica/acoustic guitar sound. The album itself didn't have any real hits for Dylan, but AATW has since become one of his much loved songs, and one that Dylan estimates that he's played over 1500 times over the years.
Best known
In 1968, the Jimi Hendrix Experience released a version of the song on the album Electric Ladyland. Hendrix's version was radically different from Dylans, opening with a short guitar solo and featuring his innovative guitar-work throughout. Even below his vocal line, the guitar is still working it's way through the song, and in between the verses he lets rip with some great solos. This version was instantly more memorable and more famous than Dylan's original, and the single release of it reached #20 on the Billboard chart. The greatest thing to be said about this best known (and simply BEST) version of the song, was said by it's composer himself. Dylan revealed in the liner notes of his Biograph box set that he preferred Hendrix's more rocking version of the song, and Dylan himself would play it closer to Hendrix's version when playing it live. Hendrix would also record other Dylan songs, most notably 'Drifter's Escape'.
Latest
One of the latest interpretations of the song was recorded by Bryan Ferry, and included on his 2007 album of Dylan covers, Dylanesque. Featuring blues rock great Robin Trower on a blistering guitar, Ferry's version leans mostly on the Hendrix rendition but the guitar work and vocal line is quite different. Where Jimi Hendrix let his passion for the material shine through and allowed himself to go slightly off key on a few lines, Ferry's vocal delivery is comparatively quiet and restrained like much of his work is, and Trower throws in his own brand of soloing throughout.
Bottom line
All three versions of the song are great, but Hendrix's version is by far the best and the most famous. It features prime examples of his amazing guitar skills and is one of my favourite Dylan covers ever. Rolling Stone magazine included it on it's list of the 500 greatest songs ever, at #48! Not bad for a cover version at all.
Also...
Among countless others, the song has also been recorded by the following:
The Fratellis
Eddie Vedder
U2 (live)
Dave Matthews Band (live)
Grateful Dead
Neil Young
Original
'All along the watchtower' was written by Bob Dylan in 1967, and appeared on his album from that year, John Wesley Harding. Most of 1967 had been quiet for Dylan following his motorcycle accident, and when he returned with the JWH album, he had gone back to the largely acoustic style of his initial albums. AATW featured a simple melody and Dylan's trademark harmonica/acoustic guitar sound. The album itself didn't have any real hits for Dylan, but AATW has since become one of his much loved songs, and one that Dylan estimates that he's played over 1500 times over the years.
Best known
In 1968, the Jimi Hendrix Experience released a version of the song on the album Electric Ladyland. Hendrix's version was radically different from Dylans, opening with a short guitar solo and featuring his innovative guitar-work throughout. Even below his vocal line, the guitar is still working it's way through the song, and in between the verses he lets rip with some great solos. This version was instantly more memorable and more famous than Dylan's original, and the single release of it reached #20 on the Billboard chart. The greatest thing to be said about this best known (and simply BEST) version of the song, was said by it's composer himself. Dylan revealed in the liner notes of his Biograph box set that he preferred Hendrix's more rocking version of the song, and Dylan himself would play it closer to Hendrix's version when playing it live. Hendrix would also record other Dylan songs, most notably 'Drifter's Escape'.
Latest
One of the latest interpretations of the song was recorded by Bryan Ferry, and included on his 2007 album of Dylan covers, Dylanesque. Featuring blues rock great Robin Trower on a blistering guitar, Ferry's version leans mostly on the Hendrix rendition but the guitar work and vocal line is quite different. Where Jimi Hendrix let his passion for the material shine through and allowed himself to go slightly off key on a few lines, Ferry's vocal delivery is comparatively quiet and restrained like much of his work is, and Trower throws in his own brand of soloing throughout.
Bottom line
All three versions of the song are great, but Hendrix's version is by far the best and the most famous. It features prime examples of his amazing guitar skills and is one of my favourite Dylan covers ever. Rolling Stone magazine included it on it's list of the 500 greatest songs ever, at #48! Not bad for a cover version at all.
Also...
Among countless others, the song has also been recorded by the following:
The Fratellis
Eddie Vedder
U2 (live)
Dave Matthews Band (live)
Grateful Dead
Neil Young
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