Monday 31 August 2009

10 German songs you might wanna check out.


In my last post I braught up a German rap song, "Bitte Wer?" and have since had good feedback about it. It got me thinking though, alot of people don't listen to music outside of their language barrier, and it's a bit of a shame really. There's a lot of music out their that's not sang in English, and alot of it is quite good.

This has begun to change recently though, and I'm not saying as a nation we've never heard of German music, things like Nena and Falco have made it accross (in return America gave Germany David Hasslehoff... I'll let you decide who made it out of that deal with a profit) and groups like Rammstein made it into the metal scene which has always been quite open.

Even more recently however Peter Fox (formerly of Seeed) seems to be breaking out on English soil, attending a number of festivals. His music's great aswell and definatly worth checking out (buy Stadtaffe or Music Monks by Seeed) as he has a style all to himself and meaningful and provogative lyrics (if you can understand them). He's a great all rounder.

But what else should you check out? Here's 10 to get you started.

1) Oomph - Augen Auf

It's hard to choose between what song is Oomph's best. They've released a number of singles, and with a new album very soon to be released, I kind of wanted to put the new single down. But this is the first song I heard by Oomph and easily one of my favourite (other than their cover of "Power of Love" which is easily better than the original, but alas, English, so kind of point defeating)

They're a strong band in their own right, but have always seemed to follow in Rammstein's wake as a less quirky Metal rather than industrial Deutsch-group.

Still, the Bands worth checking out, as is this lyrical hooky single, that will hopefully leave you wanting to explore more of the band as it did with me.


2) Samsas Traum - Alles Oder Alles

"Sasmsa's Dream" are a strange group, as their music seems to incorporate a mix of dark electronica, metal, and what's reffered to in German as "Neue Deutsche Härte" Which translates as "The New German Hardness" and as such offers a unique listening experience that you'll struggle to find in other places (Coming from a DJ, the record is a bitch to mix into anything else).

This post is also a little cheaty. Although the band is German, they currently hail from Austria where they've relocated too. (Any German-speakers out there will notice that the name of this track is more Austrian in grammer than German)

But the song's so awesome, I hbad to include it, abd Besides, they're still technically a german band. So... I win.

Anyway, here's the song, check it out.


3) Xavier Naidoo - Meine Stadt.

Naidoo is an extremely acomplished artist in his home country. He's won award after award, and worked with a large number of different musicians, including people like Kool Savas and RZA (from Wu-Tang Clan) showing that, it is really just the language barrier stopping his further success.

His style of R'n'B is more true to R'n'B's roots than most English or American attempts in recent years, and as such is whole and hearty, not cheap music about "badonkadonks" or "getting crunk" .... or should that be "Arsch" or "Wird verrückt betrunken" Hehe.

Meine Stadt itself is a song about Xavier's home town, Mannheim, and how he feels about it. Like a German Bruce Springsteen, only good. (And His charity work would make him more like a German Bono, only, not a twat).

It's an amazing song, and you should translate the lyrics as you listen to it.


4) King Kool Savas Feat. MelBeatz - Grind On.

I did think long and hard about Kool Savas, he's quite rappy for one, and if I was to include him in this list what song should I choose. But I mentioned him earlier, and he's not really popular outside of Germany and Austria so it seemed like a good idea.

A founding member of "Optik schweiz" or "Optic Army" he's worked with countless big names, like Melbeatz for instance, who is his exgirlfriend, and more besides, Azad, Xavier Naidoo, Fatman Scoop, RZA, KutMasta Kurt, Royce Da 5'9 and many more besides.

I chose this song purely on the basis that it's one of his most Hip Hop, as his more recent stuff tends to border on straight rap. If you've played Tony Hawks underground you probably heard it in the background. It's a straight up, chirpy tune about skateboarding. Like a German version of Lupe Fiasco. (only Kool Savas did it first)


5) In Extremo - Liam

Yes, this band is German, although you wouldn't think it for the first thirty odd seconds of this song.

In Extremo, are a "Medieval" metal band, and as such incorporate many instruments that you wouldn't expect, especialy for a band hailing from Berlin. Bagpipes, kilts and harps make a frequent appearance, as do gailic, High Old German, and Latin.

Despite being a complicated band, the songs are catchy. It's not unlike English theme-metal. Something like Iced Earth. Alot lighter and melodic perhaps. Anyways, here's the linky.


6) Lacrimosa - Halt Mich

This goth duo is only really half german, but still worth a mention, as the composition of the music itself is amazing, something reminiscent of the classical era, with something akin to a rock opera sang over the top.

It's great music, black eye make up is optional when listening to it.


7) Wolfsheim - Kein Zurück

Germany and darkwave music seem to hand in hand. Alot of goths and synthpop fans out their might have heard of this band, but this blog wouldn't be "Explosure" if I didn't try to widen that margin.

The band itself has been around for quite some time, since hte 80's in fact, and do follow the gothy electronica tred set by other bands, but this song in particular is beautiful.

For a band with darker hooks, it's particularly remorseful, etched with sorrow. Now, dont start sliting your wrists, it's not as bad as VNV nation's "Holding On" or anything, it's something you could listen to, to chill out. Not sit in a bathtub of warm water slowly getting redder.

(It's also one of the few song's they actualy sing in german)


8) Funf Sterne Deluxe - Die Leude

This band is pretty much the german version of "Goldie Lookin' Chain". While this song is called "The People" the lyrics are funny enough and full of clever word play, and one of the bands most famous songs is called "Ja Ja, Deine Mudder" or "Yeah yeah, your mum".

They even sound similiar, other than, you know, singing in German, not Welsh accents.

Still, very good. And Remember, 'The people want something to happen"


9) Deichkind - Remmidemmi

Deichkind, or "Gutter Children" are a strange mix of Hip Hop, electro and strong bassy hooks. Like if "Does it Offend You, Yeah?" "Enter Shikari" and "Hadouken" had all formed one band. And been born in Germany.

Sadly however, the band have announced that they wont be recording any more records, at least as Deichkind, with the death of their producer and friend early this year.

This song is less heavy on the rappy lyrics, and more about getting silly at a party. The main lyric, "Yippie yippie yeah, Yippie Yeah, Yippie Yeah, Krawall und Remmidemmi" Translates to "Riot and Rave". If the song wasn't in German, I definatly would have busted it out in a club by now. Heck, I still might.

(If this song isn't for you, try looking up one of their less dirty grindy tracks, like "Limit"


10) Die Toten Hosen - Keine Alkohol

This song is a classic german party song. Die Toten Hosen (The dead trousers, if you translate litteraly / The deadbeats if you translate it properly) are a fantastic punk band.

This song, all about how life without alcohol isn't worth living. Is a riff rousing party crazy drink fueled room wrecker. Give it a go. You will be singing along by the second chorus.


Bonus Links!

Every Country makes mistakes, I give you, the German Hanson

Peter Fox - Schwarz Zu Blau

Seeed - Ding (The original, not the Remix that got released in the UK)

Kool Savas Vs Mr Mann - Brooklyn 2 Berlin


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Saturday 29 August 2009

10 Hip Hop crossovers you should really know.






Hip hop is one of those genres that has had crossover after corssover after crossover.

From it's infamous start with things like Run DMC vs. Aerosmith, to more aquired tastes, like that of Public Enemy, its always been there (and even more recently with the likes of holywood undead). As long as there has been Hip Hop, there has been someone willing to push the envelope, and experiment by mixing it with something else.

It's what you'd expect from a genre of music that relies so heavily on turntablism and inovative producers to keep it afloat.

But nowadays with the scene so heavily dominated by the worthy talents of Mike Shinoda, what else is there to listen too? What else should you check out? Well, here's ten to get you started.

1) Ill Bill, Immortal Technique and Max Cavelera - War Is My Destiny.

Not as such a remix or mash-up, as a true crossover, I'll start my list with this one. As it was meant to be from it's conception, a crossover. Using the harsh stylings of Immortal Technique, and the famous talents of Ill Bill, to lay down a vicious sounding track, and outlaying it with the gutteral metal that is Max Cavelera's domain.

Obviously, the brazilian born Cavelera is famous for his work with Sepultura and Soulfly, rarely straying from his own style of empowering metal. While Immortal technique, is slightly less well known, but for his politicaly enfused, intelligent and angry rap style. They meet incredibly well here over this Ill Bill track, infused with emotion and raw anger.


Oh, and FYI, the video is amazing.

2) X-ecutioners - (Even) more Human that Human

I did struggle to include this on in the list, as the X-ecutioners work quite closely with Shinoda from time to time, but they are extremely accomplished artists within their own right. Currently comprised of Roc Raida, Mista Sinista, Rob Swift and Total Eclipse the group of turntablists and Grand Masta's have an intresting history.

Originaly named for and after the Marvel Comics, they had to change their names for legal reasons, but have thrived due to the groups massive collective talent.

Roc Raida, along with Vlad the Impaler, and Mike Shinoda, released an amazing album called "Rock Phenominon" full of remixes and mashups of metal, with Hip Hop and Rap music. Check it out, it's a fantastic piece of beatoligy.

This song itself throws together Slug, from Atmosphere fame, with Rob Zombie (formerly of White Zombie) in a track that is pure genious.


3) Sage Francis - Got Up This Morning

Firmly in the world of underground Hip Hop, Sage Francis is a cult icon and hero to those disenfranchised with current Rap Music. Along with Buck 65, who produced this record they form some of the last refuge for intelligent lyrical intruiging Hip Hop.

This track mixes together guitar music with a very old west feel to it, and Sage Francis' musky voice and intense lyrics to create a record that you just can't stop listening to.


4) DJ Stylewarz Feat. D-flame and Torch - Bitter Wer?

Another song I struggled to include, purely on the basis, it's german. I listen to alot of world music, but I know alot of people in England dong really bother (other than of course the obligatory Rammstein for the Metal Fans) and for people who don't speak German, Hip Hop would be a little pointless in the language, as the art form is slightly lost.

Or is it? I dont really think so, as you can still hear the rhythmic precussion of the voice, the rhymes and beat, even if you don't understand the words. Anyone who has ever listened to an instrumental or even classical music, can never use not understanding the lyrics as a reason to not listen to a song.

So I do formally challange you to listen to this song with an open mind and not like it (Other than if you think remixing Led Zep's "Whole Lotta Love" is sacriligious, although a better remix of this song has never been done)


5) Apathy - Seven Nation Army

OK, so the lyrics arn't exactly rainbow coloured or waving a peace sign. More like flipping you the bird and trying to chat up your mum, but they're still clever.

I'm aware that Apathy doesn't exactly bridge the gap between hip hop and rap, but It's my guilty hypocritical pleasure, and this song blissfully throws down with the white stripes and creates a new record, while obviously holding the original in high regard.

Again though, Mike Shinoda seems to be heavily on the trail of artists who have similiar tastes to his own, having worked with Apathy a number of times, including along side Styles of Beyond on the cover of Bloc Party's "Banquet", which, if you ask me, was better than the original.


6) Celldweller Feat. Styles of Beyond - Shape Shifter.

Ok, so I'd already mentioned Styles of Beyond, it seemed good to include them, but without venturing to any of their work with Shinoda. I had a tough choice between this song, and their own remix of "Nine Thou" both of which have been included in Need for Speed games.

I opted for this one, not because it's the better of the two, but because im a huge fan of Celldweller and Klayton, and becaus it shows a better range than 'Nine Though' as it includes not only a metal riff and guitar, but also the vocal stylings of Klayton, both screaming and singing.

Check it out.


7) Cowboy Troy - Chicken with the Train

Another one I didn't want to include, for sheer embarrisment.

But a good mix, is a healthy mix, so I thought, even if only for comedic purposes, Cowboy Troy should be included. Country music, and Hip Hop. It's called Hick-Hop.

Enough said really.


8) Saul Williams - Coded Language

I include this one with loose terms. Breaking slightly from my aim, just for intrest. Hip Hop and Emceeing have always, to a point, been included in the drum and bass movement, but this is the first time I've seen spoken word poetry included.

So while not truely Hip Hop, Saul Williams spoken word poem, mixed by DJ Krust, makes it into my list on pure merit. And lets face it, spoken word aint a million miles away from hip hop.

9) Quarashi - Stick 'Em Up

This Icelandic group are extremly unknown. And extremely worthy of a top ten in the UK. No dice however. And I really don't know why. They're great. Lyricaly genious at times, emotive and... rocky. Yeah, rocky. Amazing.


10) This one's a suprise... So give it a clicky.

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