FLUTWELLE from the Lipperland. I had heard a lot about the band until now. The band has been around for several years and became known primarily for their song "Meine Schwester."
Now I have the band's latest release in front of me. The CD contains 13 new songs as well as 10 bonus tracks. The bonus tracks are a kind of best-of of their previous work, and thus the CD provides a good overview of the band's output.
FLUTWELLE was co-founded by Manu. Manu was previously active with Non Conform and is now currently starting with his new band OIRE MUTTER. FLUTWELLE is thus history. The silver disc is therefore a piece of contemporary history for the Lipperland. Not many bands come from the area. The term "no man's land between Hanover and Bielefeld" is quite fitting for the band's homeland.
FLUTWELLE describes their style as street rock. That fits, although the band's punk roots are clearly audible, and depending on the song, there is also a portion of Oi that varies from more to less. The combo has a good knack for melodies, making the songs catchy.
Unfortunately, the lyrics are not always the best, which makes the CD with its total of 24 songs a mixed pleasure. Certainly, one cannot fault the band for bending themselves or doing something they don't want to do. However, some lyrics are indeed underdeveloped, embarrassing, or simply so crass that you quickly rush to the player and skip ahead.
"Once a Roller Coaster and Back" thus shows what FLUTWELLE was. Always a bit quirky, but politically clearly positioned to the left, as can be heard in "Armes Deutschland."
It's also great that a song was sung with Guido Göttlich (singer of Hannen Alks) and Karsten Conform (singer of Non Conform). There are definitely some gems included.
The bonus also includes the song "Meine Schwester." With 10 fewer songs and a greater focus on taste, the CD would be highly recommended; as it stands, it is just average. Wavering between genius and amateurish.
