Einstürzende
Neubauten
"Perpetuum Mobile" CD
Mute Records
Genres: rock, industrial, experimental rock
Mute
429 Harrow Road
London W10 4RE
England
Feb 16 - 22 2004 |
Perpetuum Mobile is Einstürzende Neubauten's follow-up to
to their last full-length release, 2000's Silence Is Sexy.
And like its predecessor, this album is a remarkably quiet affair for
Blixa Bargeld and crew, who in previous decades were known for
their chaotic, violent bursts of industrial noise. On these
twelve tracks, we are faced with numerous subtle, yet amazingly
melodic industrialized pop numbers - though the instrument list includes
the usual EN suspects like sheet metal, "metal
percussion," and, of course, your usual assortment of metal
appliances, this record is still a remarkably infectious romp. It is hard not to be awed by the way Einstürzende Neubauten
creates songs from distinctly untuneful sounds. Though Perpetuum
Mobile is filled with noises and stray sounds, it all comes
together in a reasonably traditional manner. Even the longest,
most crashing piece - the nearly fourteen minute title track - is made
melodic by repeated vocal choruses and a chord background buried deep
in the sheet metal rattling and industrial percussion. "Ein
Seltener Vogel", on the other hand, is a quiet, nine minute tune
with a convincing, intense vocal part - it is only in the last two
minutes that the track builds to a powerful climax, overdriven guitars
and all. "Youme & Meyou", meanwhile, is this
album's "Sabrina" - rich in melody and boasting a sharp,
defining verse and chorus.
Overall, Perpetuum Mobile may disappoint fans still
accustomed to Einstürzende
Neubauten's early works, but will likely be well suited to those
who dug Silence Is Sexy. Though I would say this
full-length is slightly more industrial and noisy than its
predecessor, it still adheres to the same calm values. But when
regarded without any reference to their previous recordings or their
fans' expectations, this album sees Einstürzende
Neubauten purveying what can only be considered unconventional
brilliance.
89%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 12 tracks, distributed by the
label, released 2004] |