Title: Indicator
Artist: Deine Lakaien
Genre: Electronic / Avantgarde
Release Date: 17th September 2010
Label: Ministry of Sound
Album Review
The duo composed of Ernst Horn and Alexander Veljanov in 2010 is around for a good 25 years and through all the time have cultivated and maintained a distinctive, yet hard-to-categorize, experimental sound that still keeps intriguing myriads of people. Following a 5 years break, used to pursue their respective solo projects, the two creative minds came back together again to turn the next page in the diary of DEINE LAKAIEN; named ‘Indicator’.
A warm wave of analogue synthesis and processed violin that makes the hairs stand on end comes through the speakers with the beginning of the opener ‘One Night’. Then, everything gets a kind of medieval atmosphere and the arrangement retreats to let Alexander Veljanov lead the way, re-joining the party again at the chorus in conjunction with the emerging, laid-back industrial beats. ‘Gone’ is known to be the preceding single of the album, just as the opener beginning in calmness with subtle synth rhythm accentuation and analogue gimmicks until Veljanov takes it by the hand and leads it further, creates a wonderful mood, giving way to a rather cold electronic intermezzo, contrasting his warm vocals in the chorus to fall back into profound, reflective melancholy again. With ‘Immigrant’, he seems to continue the lyrical theme, harboured in his recent solo work, pillorying certain injustices. Also, the track is one of the rarely upbeat moments on ‘Indicator’ where erratic sequences soar over minimalist beat structures and alienated elements at times create a threatening ambience.
Reversed sounds are the backdrop for following ‘Europe’, a track Alexander is showcasing his French skills on and which has been injected with exceptionally heavy beats, but then again, at times, Alexander’s voice drifts up to the skies on sonic carpets of mild melancholy only for moments. I can’t quite put my finger on what’s striking me so odd with ‘Six O’Clock’ actually. Maybe it’s that it feels so normal by DEINE LAKAIEN standards, which we all know can produce really strange things at times. Anyway, it’s a cut that pushes but has an ethereal feeling to it with the whistling, oscillating and machine humming in the back, Yes, machine humming can be ethereal as well. A favourite of mine is being placed near the end with ‘Go Away Bad Dreams’, an aural attempt to forget the cruelties from the past, haunting you in your dreams. I love especially the variety of experimental sounds and organic samples incorporated. Really a stand-out track on the album. ‘The Old Man Is Dead’ almost feels like a swansong to and the reminiscence to an entire life. It is oppressing, haunting and ominous, with vocals, resting on minor chords, weeping violins soaring and war sounds crushing the silence.
Over big parts, the new album is very calm and I admit that at first that was a big problem for me. But DEINE LAKAIEN records never unfold completely on first listens. Some never did to me. This one is an exception and offers the dedicated listener great and sometimes even weird moments when experiencing what sounds were used in the course. Recommended!
Tracklist
01. One Night - 3:54
02. Who´ll Save Your World - 4:25
03. Gone - 4:04
04. Immigrant - 4:47
05. Blue Heart - 4:12
06. Europe - 5:26
07. Along Your Road - 4:51
08. Without Your Words - 4:00
09. Six O´Clock - 4:05
10. Go Away Bad Dreams - 4:37
11. On Your Stage Again - 4:55
12. The Old Man Is Dead - 4:07
Line-Up
Alexander Veljanov
Ernst Horn
Website
http://www.deine-lakaien.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/deinelakaien
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 8.5 / 10
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