Title: Versteck
Artist: Erik & Me
Genre: Alternative/Pop/Progressive
Release Date: 7th January 2011
Label: R.D.S.
Album Review
ERIC & ME ensemble has been founded in 2003, extensively played in their native Germany and took part in 2006/2007 PopCamp. 2007 was also the year when they played WDR Rockpalast. Their album ‘Hundertsechzig Zeichen’, released in 2008, has had many positive responses in the press, the band itself swung from singing in German to English, now with the album ‘Versteck’ back to German language. I’m not an advocate for all music to be sung under only one language, but English feels as the more suitable one to the tone and mood of the music. But on the other hand that would be far too polished and this seems like a rough diamond. It escapes the genre’s formulaic approaches and has its own “soul”.
The overall feeling is one of a curious combination of joie de vivre and melancholy; if you thought that joyful melancholy is an impossibility, ERIK & ME effortlessly demonstrate it is possible indeed, one would be taken to think that the last song ‘Was Du nicht sehen kannst’ can be taken to mean that this is what many cannot see – amongst many other things and leads. I would say that it is because the melancholic feeling never gets far too dark and because there is a tangible feeling that the protagonist of the song is always seeking for the light in the midst of sadness. Amongst the emotive songs are songs that reflect more ironically. The arrangements are never cluttered but they are not over simplistic either, the details subtle and appealing. ‘Versteck’ is a good album with a welcomed genuine feel.
Tracklist
1. Schreien - 3.33
2. Sonderbar - 3.14
3. Einsam - 3.04
4. Genug - 3.23
5. Versteck - 3.49
6. Zu Groß - 3.21
7. Manchmal - 4.59
8. Herbst - 3.11
9. Zufall - 3.45
10. Tsunami - 2.18
11. Was Du nicht sehen kannst - 4.06
Line-up
Erik Lautenschläger - Vocals, Guitar, Songwriting
Dave Bennett - Guitar
Merle Bennett - Drums
Heike Becker - Bass Or Piano
Fabrizio Tentoni - Bass Or Piano
Websites
http://www.erikandme.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/meanderik
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Extras: -
Total: 7 /10
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