KMFDM's latest offering, with extra fans
Yeah, try pronouncing that name straight off the bat. Fortunately, the album itself is easier to understand. Those familiar with KMFDM will recognize the signature style; industrial rock with a powerful, techno edge.
The opening track is quite sample heavy. Not surprising, since the track "Superpower" was conceived with contributions from the fans in mind. Many of the samples are taken from what KMFDM called "The Fanphone". On it's own merits, the song is most definitely a mish-mash of sounds and styles, with movie-like brass over the top of a heavy techno beat, with a little added bluesey guitar and even a saxophone solo. It's a fun opening track but not one i'd pick to listen to over and over again.
For me, the album starts on the second song, "Looking for Strange". It's a fast paced, female vocalised dance track. Sadly, I can't find any catchy hooks or any kind of signature that marks this track out for me. There are quite a few dance tracks I'm fond of but this one doesn't stand out. The title track for the album up's the beat slightly, and seems to remind me a little of Juno Reactor, until the vocals kick in. The vocals are more metal in their style but the track remains fearsomely in the dance vein with added darker synths.
Im debating the industrial-ness at this point. "I am what I am" seems to bring my attention back. It's slower, with growly, dark female vocals and distorted, dirty guitar. The pace picks up but its most definitely closer to NIN than Juno Reactor here. "Saft und Kraft" starts with some aggressive drumming, feeling quite metal, though again, we are moving into a fast, techno-dance track here. Odd, since there are some guitar licks and solos here and there but it remains in the dance vein.
"Los Ninos Del Parque" sounds a little silly to me. Sure, singing in another language is fine but it just makes me giggle with the rather silly synth and samples in the background. Its the kind of cheap sounding song you imagine being played in some bad foreign film you could imagine in your head. "Spit or Swallow" & "Not in My Name" continue the fast paced, dance routine with little in the way of memorable hooks. Im getting a little bored by this point but I shall persevere.
"Fait Accompli" brings back the smoother female vocals and realistic drumming and distorted guitar. I certainly feel this is better arranged song, and certainly more listen-able. "Bumaye" returns to a slower mix of styles and rounds off the album nicely. For my money, the album is too dancey and lacks the power of industrial grind or passion that NIN could deliver. KMFDM fans may like it but its not one for the newer fans.