I have really been able to give a lot of myself. A lot. Accordingly, I have also had to listen to quite a bit and have experienced both the highs and lows of the musician's world. But now a point has been reached where I am completely at a loss. Even the somewhat longer period of time has not allowed me to truly grasp the album by "Mr.Protector." But I can at least try to turn my thoughts into a fun adventure ride:
"It’s all about a rise to pleasure" starts off almost disturbingly. Oddly placed pauses, various tempo changes, a large repertoire of sounds (distorted guitars, cowbells, out-of-tune (?) guitars, slightly distorted guitars, and vocals that switch from hard to soft spoken word…). It feels as if a large pot has been taken and all available ingredients have been thrown in. As mentioned, it sounds almost insane, but there is something interesting and yet positive about it. It definitely invites further listening.
The song "Zeit und Raum" brings a bit more structure… if only briefly. When the chorus at the beginning approaches the end, the verses begin, which also have a quirky structure but still sound strange. It seems as if a part of the riff has been "left out," making everything sound a bit "off" yet still in time. It's crazy how little I am able to describe these songs! But one thing I can say: It rocks in the rest of the song!
"Mirror" continues right where the other songs leave off: It confuses me. Suddenly, I have to think of "Alternative Rock." Normal vocals, slightly distorted guitars, a lively rhythm, and a lot of melody. It sounds as if a completely different band is at work. Towards the end of the song, it even seems like there are almost choir-like vocals from the band members. What is going on here?
Does "Das Felsen von Carlong" bring a bit of clarity? No! The 7:28 long song is a mix of absolute minimalism and punctuated moments where all instruments come together. First, a few notes can be heard, then strange murmuring. This drags on until the "chorus" comes, briefly hitting all instruments a few times before sinking back into eternal silence. Sometimes the chorus goes a bit further, making the song return to a "normal" song. Especially at the end, it rocks steadily and hits the strings hard.
And now imagine all of this in a constant change.
Now I could go on and list all the details, but that would clearly exceed the scope. I’ll just attempt a summary:
Mr.Protector are stylistic virtuosos who crash through everything that hasn’t disappeared underground in 2.38573 seconds and roll out cascades of lyrics that are mostly devoid of understanding, yet carry an important sonic function. Mr.Protector are master chefs who manage to conjure up a very interesting meal from "everything" instead of a repulsive, brown mush. Mr.Protector make music for those who seek the "other." Mr.Protector are French who sing in German and sound good doing it.
You don’t understand what I’m trying to say? Believe me, I don’t either. But one thing I know: These guys make very interesting music and should – as often as this phrase has come from me – definitely be listened to. Rock fans will surely get their money's worth here, as rock is offered in ample measure! This can be especially heard in the very successful song "Grabstein."
Nice thing! Disturbing, yes, but still beautiful!
