And One - Zerstörer

Artist: And One
Title: Zerstörer
Genre: Synth Pop / Electro / EBM
Release Date: 21st January 2011
Label: Out Of Line Music


EP Review

AND ONE is one of the most famous Synth-Pop (EBM) bands in Germany. The band is made up of Steve Naghavi, Chris Ruiz and Gio van Oli. The band's new album, ‘Tanzomat’, is scheduled for release in March 2011. The first single, ‘Zerstörer’, will be released on January 21st prior to the album.

The only thing I can say about this compilation of music is “Sehr Gut” (Very good) in more then one language. It is the best I have heard from AND ONE by far. The first single ‘Zerstörer’ starts out deep and dark then pulls you into a world of eminent danger with strong vocals and body popping sound. After this you are seduced by the song ‘Sex Drive’ where those of you who have attempted or even imagined what it would be like to have sex on a water bed will understand the lyrics and melody of this song. The song after this one is called ‘No Song For You’ which is a contrast from the more lively first two songs. A darker and more sadistic goodbye but I need you love song. The live version of ‘Mirror in Your Heart’ seems that it can break through almost anything and shatter it completely. A beautiful rendition of the fragility of sound and music that is reflected in this song then breaks the stereotype of how you might expect this song to be. It almost sounds like an EBM version of a song from a Bond film if it was performed by AND ONE with notable DEPECHE MODE influences.

‘The Secret’ in its live version is really interesting because of its mysterious undertones and the melodies that seem to lead the listener onto some unknown path, like the band is going on a secret mission. ‘Military Fashion Show’ comes up in the “original” version. The album track is like a party fashion show with strong yet jumpy melodies making anyone who listens to it want to wear a uniform and start dancing around the room with their arms flaring out. This rockabilly version of ‘Military Fashion Show’ is unexpected and at first I didn't think it belonged with the other set of songs. But if you are aware of the bands noted sense of humour and their general feeling for experimentation in their music then it fits perfectly. Lately, it seems to be a real trend in the EBM community to pay visible homage to music from the 20's, 30's, 50's and of course 80's. The band does a great job turning the ‘Military Fashion Show’ song into an Americanized rockabilly version.

The whole series of songs seems to have a general EBM secret agent theme to it with ‘Zerstörer’, ‘No Song For You’ and ‘Military Fashion Show’ and ‘Mirror in Your Heart’. It makes me want to be an EBM secret agent girl! Steve Naghavi continuously uses his voice in creative and unusual ways which makes the whole series of songs sophisticated in their execution. A real treat for AND ONE fans and even general EBM listeners. If you wonder over to their website you get a special surprise with a rockabilly video version of ‘Military Fashion Show’ and an even bigger one when clicking on the homepage link with an intro to a video with what looks like a turn of the century puppet show mainly made up of large heads dancing around to the insane lyrics, QUAK! QUAK! QUAK (hint: check out LOLA ANGST’s “Dark Kasperle Theater” to be performed on 30th April 2010)! 16 puppets to be exact AND ONE band! The “And One and only” band that makes Synth-Pop from Germany super cool!


Tracklist

01. Zerstörer
02. Sex Drive
03. No Song For You
04. Mirror in Your Heart (Live 2010)
05. The Secret (Live 2010)
06. Military Fashion Show (Live 2010)
07. Military Fashion Show (Original Version)
08. Zerstörer (Peine I.S.T. Die Ansage 2011 Mix)


Line-up

Steve Naghavi - Lead Vocals, Music, Production
Chris Ruiz - Keyboards, Vocals
Gio van Oli - Keyboards, Backing Vocals


Websites

http://www.andone.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/andoneofficial


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 8
Extras: Remix and Live Versions
Total: 9 / 10