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It is the first album by the Hamburg band since 1994, featuring original lyrics!
After 23 years, SLIME is making a statement again. An analysis.
23 years is an incredibly long period of time. If there are still benchmarks that high, I would love to see them. One must also consider that this is the first album for which Stephan Mahler did not write the lyrics. Thus, one can say that these are a different kind of lyrics. They should not be compared to the old lyrics of SLIME. Stephan Mahler is no longer involved, and therefore a comparison to the old lyrics should not be made.
The Hamburg band put a lot of effort into writing the lyrics. The lyrics were discussed together, discarded, new ideas were presented, processed, and eventually the five gentlemen were satisfied. The band went through this process sixteen times. Further explanations and information can be found in the interview I conducted with Christian (guitar) and Elf (guitar). The link to the interview is as follows:
http://www.ramtatta.de/s/interviews/f/details/id/8060/
16 songs are included on “Here and Now“.
Two songs have already been released: “They Want to Shoot Again” and the single “Our Songs”.
These two songs are quite different and are a good representation of the album.
The entire album impresses with its variety. It is, of course, still punk rock. Especially lyrically.
The themes of “Rightward Shift, Fear, and Solidarity” run like a red thread through the album. These themes are presented from various angles and perspectives. It ranges from the rather abstract “Arsonist” to the absolutely concrete “Patriots”. Every listener is personally addressed with “Banality of Evil” and “The Silent Ones”. Here, SLIME finds clear words that make one sit up and reflect upon first listening. In “Banality of Evil”, everyone, I emphasize everyone, will find themselves. Who hasn’t heard or said those famous lines:
I am not..., but...
In “The Silent Ones”, they illustrate that worse than the foolish are the silent ones, the bystanders who still do nothing. The silent ones are also those who tolerate when there is beating, saluting, and oppression. Why? The song shakes you awake!
The conclusion of the theme comes with “Spinner”. A certain reckoning, a certain resignation, yet still paired with...still...with anger.
Because it’s always about money. And we, surely you dear reader, are against it. Against money, against surveillance.
And what they call freedom is pain for every truly free heart.
Can it be said more accurately?
Of course, SLIME’s lyrics will not appeal to everyone.
The lyrics will certainly be widely discussed. I particularly think of lines from “Arsonist” or the title “Ernie and Bert in Guantanamo”. Questions arise about whether it has to be that way or what the band wants to convey with it.
Talking about it is, of course, important, but we must never forget that it is action that brings about change. We are being cut down in our lives, our freedom is restricted, our dreams destroyed. It is time to rise up again!
“Let’s get united” is more important than ever.
“For all time” the statutes stand, which are:
No inch for fascists, for all time!
Is that provocative? Yes?
Good!
SLIME shows with “Here and Now” clear edges and does so with intelligent lyrics and good music. The wait has been worth it.
And if, which I do not hope, SLIME should bid farewell with this album, they have created a farewell with this record that could not be better.
