What is music for many people? A hobby!
ZWAKKELMANN is right about that. It is more or less a pastime. Some have a model train set in the basement. Others have their instruments set up in the basement. In both cases, they spend many hours there.
During the pandemic, we had a lot of time to focus on ourselves. This led some to deep reflection and others to creativity.
ZWAKKELMANN seems to have found time for both.
In the second track on the album, ZWAKKELMANN processes the last few months with a very positive vibe. It is titled as follows:
This is my comeback
I was constantly filled with fear
Always suffering from overthinking
That was just a farce
Now I'm going full throttle again
When I look out my window, the sun is shining on me and I feel exactly what is being sung here.
However, it is by no means the case that only good vibes are spread here.
ZWAKKELMANN has a keen, critical eye and sees how the Earth is doing and what we are doing to it. About this, Mr. Z. wrote the song “Wann kommt die Menschheit endlich mal zur Vernunft“. The lines are clear and aptly formulated. In terms of lyrics, this is one of the best songs on the album.
But it’s not just profound on the record; it also comes spontaneously from the gut. Something like “Halt dein Maul“ comes out of that.
ZWAKKELMANN also celebrates himself and his life. Whether that is necessary can be seen either way. “Halleluja Punk“ is definitely a sing-along song of the highest quality in front of an audience. Strangers become friends.
So, on the 15 tracks (plus intro), there is a colorful mix of lyrics and music. Punk rock, country, rock, pop-rock, big band sound, and fun-punk.
The promo sheet, which is supposed to help us writers with our writing, hits the mark here.
Somewhere between Die Ärzte, Trio, Udo Jürgens, and the Ramones is ZWAKKELMANN.
Comparisons with Christian Steiffen are somewhat obvious and quite fitting here and there. Personally, I wouldn’t see the overlap as too large.
So what is the verdict on “Liebhaberei“?
Somewhere between genius and naive, I would place “Liebhaberei“.
Just a hobby!
