Lola Angst - Viva La Lola

Written by Katrin Renner Friday, 04 December 2009 13:56

Title: Viva La Lola
Artist: Lola Angst
Genre: Electro, Pop
Release Date: 20th November 2009
Label: Out Of Line

Album Review

Though I had known LOLA ANGST before due to several songs I found on various compilations, I was totally surprised after listening to the new double album `Viva La Lola´. To come straight to the point: This release is ear-candy at its best for all fans and lovers of 80´s electro pop due to perfectly arranged gems such as exalted `Love is a Battlefield´ (No, it isn’t a PAT BENATAR cover version.), opener `Go to Hell´ (which strongly reminded me of FAD GADGET´s `Ricky’s Hand´) or weird and pushing `Daddy Daddy´. The well-working combination of synth organ, punching drum beats and mastermind Alexander L. Goldmann´s individual vocals unleashes all its creative potential and left me indulging in nostalgia, as LOLA ANGST consistently makes use of already known melodies and synth lines without lapsing in tedious acts of copying. Generally, the tracks are pretty danceable and very catchy despite their rough edges and unconventional playfulness.

Every now and then, I caught myself thinking of 80´s classics such as `Some Great Reward´ or `Construction Time Again´ from Depeche Mode. But as mentioned before, `Viva La Lola´ only skilfully juggles with other artists´ stylistic devices and is able to provide an enormously powerful and retro soundscape. The lyrics are the icing on the cake, as they always feature a touch of black humour and cynical statements likewise. The live CD impressively displays energizing and forceful concert moments and consolidates the project’s reputation of being a good live act. You definitely get a highly recommendable package that is particularly worth listening to and a great deal for those who also enjoy FAD GADGET, early DEPECHE MODE and GARY NUMAN.

Tracklist

CD 1:
01. Go to Hell
02. This Earth is not enough for me
03. Blood and Honour
04. I love myself
05. Boulevard of broken Hearts
06. Dear Enemy
07. Daddy Daddy
08. Wonderful Flowers
09. Strange beautiful Tear
10. Monkeys
11. This is the End
12. Love is a Battlefield
13. Death is in the Air

CD 2: LOLA ANGST LIVE IN GERMANIA
01. Introduction
02. Just Slaves
03. Dead Mans Song
04. Final War
05. Hello Happiness
06. Dear Enemy
07. Strange Beautiful tear
08. I love myself
09. Daddy Daddy
10. This Earth is not enough for me
11. Mr. Trisex
12. Kurva Sloboda
15. Death is in the Air
16. Stonedead Stones
17. Good God

Line-up

Alexander L. Goldmann
live line-up:

Nina Angst - keys

Tyronne da Silva - drums

Zwie Angst - bass
Damian Angst - electronics

Website

http://www.myspace.com/lolaangst / http://www.lola-angst.de/

Cover Picture

Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10

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