This Belgian band's epynomous debut album proved you can play modern, rocking music without guitars. A clarinet, a violin, a cello and an accordion are all it takes for them to play something that reaches from
klezmer to classic rock (they managed to squeeze some
Led Zeppelin into
Doorloop at live performances).
Die Anarchistische Abendunterhaltung would change their name into
DAAU for the following albums and their music would grow into something a bit more conventional (although you should definitely check out their
Radiohead cover
Of R*D*H*D (2 + 2 = 5) to understand how unconventional their music remains...).
Their debut album was released in 1995 and it definitely was something new. But even today, the album still stands firm as a house. The "warning on the sleeve is not without cause : "magisches theater - eintrit nicht für jedermann - nur für verrückte - eintrit kostet den verstand" (
magical theater - admittance not for anyone - just for the mad - admittance will cost you your mind). The music (there is no singing on this album) still succeeds in capturing your attention to release it only after hours past the last note. At times you hear something which is vaguely reminiscent of something you know, what can't quite catch... (in
Doorloop, you probably cán pin it down to
Ravel's
Bolero). This album does what most excellent debuts do : although it has been followed by probably better records, it remains the one that gets played more often.
I have seen this band play live on the tour that followed the release (which is why I know of the Led Zeppelin piece...) and they were really awesome. Check out their tour dates (they'll play some Swedish shows in february 2008...) !
Enjoy these tracks :
- V² - Drieslagstelsel (mp3)
- Doorloop (+ traditional) (mp3)
You can buy their debut album and their other albums here
The band offers you 4 of their songs for free on their website (here, under downloads) : Catfish blues, Voodoo sim, Mary go round and Gin & tonic.
Next week's album of the week : Kurr - Amiina
I found this nice song in my mailbox. The Specimen seem to enjoy the sleigh bells and the prospect of possible snow : Wish it would snow (mp3)
He's definitely one of the great musicians of our time. His unique voice and his outstanding musical performances, his life-span career with numerous great songs, all put him in the line of great pop music icons.
