... And You Will Know Us By The Greatful Dead. Trixsi

What to make of an album with a title that contains three, maybe four jokes in one? Should we take it seriously? And what about the names of the band members? König Wilhelmsburg? Jörkk Mechenbier? The album starts as a joke as well. You will hear an acoustic guitar, hesitatingly finding its way through the chords of a song. Perhaps in the process of songwriting. It is as if in the same room with that lone, uncertain singer-songwriter, behind a curtain, unseen to the lone guitarist, a guitar is plugged in, the player kicks in his distortion pedals to try it out once. Then the curtain drops away and the lone guitarist is blown off his feet by a truckload of noise from a full band. Poor guy, lucky us.

From that moment on, all jokes are set aside, as Trixsi starts rocking out in 'Egal'. Just under two minutes later everything has been said and done. Speaking of opening an album. Most likely everyone, band, studio personnel and listeners are all spent. The speed goes down, but not the quality of Trixsi's music. 'Vergibt Dich Selbst' is a rich song showing the depths Trixsi strives to reach and gets there with ease. Think The Cranberries' 'Zombie' with a punkrock attitude. A combination that totally works here.

What makes ... And You Will Know Us By The Greatful Dead work for me? Apart from the songs themselves of course. This starts with the rhythm section. Over, on and around the super tight drums, the bass guitar plays inventive notes and lines that support the rhythm but also meanders as an almost lead instrument. The combination all through the album works great. Having two guitarist, one left and one right, plus overdubs, is a normal set up for most rock bands, yet here there seems to be a little extra shared with us. The sound as a whole is huge. The guitars are blown up to great proportions, lending the record its extras.

Promo photo

It is the voice that in any other context might become quite tedious fast but works here totally. And then comes the price song of the album. The voice goes down and shares the melody of 'Schlangenmann' with us. This song is so good. Up tempo rock, punk rock, whatever you want to call it, while at the same time gloriously wild pop music is shared. A golden chorus melody and oh so tough playing. A killer of a song and single. A few weeks ago I wrote that 'Schlangenmann' may be the best single coming out of Germany since 'Schandal Im Sperrbezirk'. Let's change that into is the best since.

Trixi's previous album was nice, ... And You Will Know Us By The Greatful Dead is one that I will keep playing. An album that contains a level of musicianship I did not see coming on the basis of 'Frau Gott'. It seems like the band made a choice in what it wants to be and that pays out. More punkrockers than alternative rockers with a few songs in between allowing for catching the breath. And without exception are good as well. With pointing to 'Panik' I rest my case.

Wout de Natris

 

You can listen to and order ... And You Will Know Us By The Greatful Dead here:

https://glitterhouserecords.bandcamp.com/album/and-you-will-know-us-by-the-grateful-dead