Ah, I just love this job! It may be poorly paid (I earn nothing) and I have to work under the wings of various "dictators" of this site; but the good working hours and the material I get to work with completely balance out these unpleasant aspects. Although I will probably be intercepted and eliminated by a killer squad (announced by a mysterious knock at the door) from the aforementioned administrators after this review (after all, I haven't said particularly nice things), I will still continue to write with a pleasant feeling. Because I am delighted to present my review, which I already mentioned in my concert report in Oettersdorf. For all the people who wear a (even imaginary!) hat: Hold on tight!
If you didn't heed my well-meaning advice, don't come to me with a lawsuit! That the hat was blown away by the pressure and power, so that now I am to be blamed for this loss, is not my fault. I warned you!
This is about the Berlin rock band "Pothead" with their amusingly titled album "Desiccated Soup". Delicious, it already reminds me of soup when I look at the picturesque cover with a cow pasture, tomatoes, onions, and leeks. It definitely whets the appetite! The hunger is also satisfied while listening through the 14 tracks on this CD, as they play grand, clean, and above all, playfully absolutely convincing rock.
I have already elaborated on the sound in my concert report, but I just can't help it! One cannot emphasize enough how powerful, how energetic, how "dreamy" the notes and chords are played. Every sound is right and indispensable for the respective song. The guitar sounds very good and harmonious, even though almost only low tones are used, as is the case with the bass. Everything sounds "dark" and "evil", but somehow that is the last thing one would think of. The drums also sound damn good (especially live!), which only underscores the two string instruments. When it doesn't sound "evil", the fingers race over the strings and unleash guitar solos that know how to impress in every respect. But there is also something contemplative: Songs like "Narcissus" or "I‘m a sinner too" are truly dreamlike. No distortion can be heard, just the pure sound of an electric guitar resonating in eternal space and slowly fading away, while a gentle and very charismatic voice recites the lyrics. By the way, the voice is truly one that even the "dull masses" would say: "Wow, the guy is really SINGING!", instead of asking why the singers of other bands let themselves go so much, as they would be vomiting into the microphone. Even in "harder" songs like "Funkenbus", the voice does not diminish but rather adapts to the song without losing its uniqueness.
It is very hard to say which direction the three people from Berlin are taking. Personally, I would classify them as a mix of punk rock, hard rock, and classic rock’n’roll. Especially songs like "Desiccated Soup" showcase the band's style very well. They simply rock so hard that the walls lose their plaster! Yet strangely, not all songs are suitable for moshing, as odd as that may sound. This is also music that you can really dance to, whether alone or with someone. I can also imagine choral singing at concerts (and not just because I was there). Songs like "Hurry", where the word "Hurry" is repeatedly sung in an ever-increasing manner, or "Funkenbus", which always shout "Woohoo", create a great earworm factor. Clean!
However, I must also confess, to my shame, that "Pothead" really belongs to the very few bands where I, for once, do NOT pay attention to the lyrics. Although lyrics play an extremely important role for me, the Berliners manage to make this not bother me at this point. I didn't even bother to check what they write about. I was constantly busy just "going with the flow" of the music and immersing myself in it. Therefore, I cannot allow myself to judge the lyrical composition, but for me, this is a clear sign that definitely speaks FOR the musical composition. However, a brief look at the song "Wanderers" (in the booklet) makes me think positively: "What is time, what is life? Oh, overwhelming to you wanderers, through the valley of shadows, the shadows of death.” Doesn’t sound bad at all!
However, I would also like to complain a bit, and I hope I am allowed to do so. The band's style is a bit "unusual" in the scene and will not appeal to people with a harder taste, like hardcore, due to the singing. Moreover, the "tempo" of the entire album is rather "average" to "slow", which is not only off-putting for many but also poses a small test of patience for potential listeners. Because the album is about as beginner-friendly as a moving ICE train. Here, one simply has to – although that is difficult in today's fast-paced and information-saturated society – take a little time to really LISTEN closely and let oneself be enchanted. But that is, of course – like so much – a boundary that everyone must draw for themselves.
But deep down, I just knew it! The band would not disappoint me on the silver disc either. At first, I was worried that their great live performance would represent the bright side of their existence, while the album versions would be the dark sides. But those doubts were quickly dispelled. Anyone who gives this album even the slightest chance in the farthest corner of their brain should definitely make an effort to see the three gentlemen live as well. Because on site, it cranks up several times… and then one might begin to understand why I write so enthusiastically here. "Pothead" has certainly found a firm place in my CD shelf!
My respect, dear ones, you really made good use of the element of surprise! 8 points!
So, now please excuse me, I need to briefly maintain social contacts. There was a mysterious knock at the door...
