Title: Republik der Heiserkeit
Artist: 206
Genre: Indie
Release Date: 25th February 2011
Label: Zick Zack
Album Review
206 started in 2008 in Germany. The band name is the result of the combined weight of all band members in kilogram. Contrary to other bands they wouldn’t sign a record deal right away, even though there were many offerings. They decided to wait and spent time with writing songs and playing live first. But at some point it was time to cooperate with someone, and their first full-length release is about to hit stores next Friday with ‘Republik der Heiserkeit’
‘Keine Sonne Keine Cola’, the paradise so far away it’s just a little point of light in a black sea. What remains is the stark reality, reflected in throbbing beats, minimalist guitar riffs and angry lyrics. With the following ‘Hallo Hoelle’, we say hello to heat and eternal damnation. It’s like a sung letter about a journey from one sad place to another one, or it could be a form of a descriptive interpretation of a crippled soul. Whatever it might be, the sonic world it’s embedded in is cold, devoid of real melody and frightening. ‘Kratzer To The Top’ indulges in grooving rhythms a bit of noise rock and post-punk while Timm’s voice is literally swirling through different emotional states. Trapped in routine, no deviation, nothing unique and more importantly no real free will! In short something you would want to get out of as fast as possible. But the man passing the young guy on his way to work on ‘Silbermuehle’ sadly doesn’t or he can’t. In the even more post-punk-ish ‘Dauerwerbesendung’, the protagonist reveals the ugly face of truth behind the pretentious happiness we’re facing on every corner while reality’s become something to cry all day about, connecting it to a search of meaning at the same time, or so I think.
A disquieting feeling remains after finishing the album’s last track; it’s bred by the anxiety and angst that lies in its compositions. The band has no interest in the happy side of things and that’s exactly how ‘Republik der Heiserkeit’ sounds. If you’re looking for catchy, melodic, and easy-to-grasp music you better think twice before entering the world of 206. Also they have a penchant for pretty cryptic lyrics. Sometimes you think to have found something you can connect to and then it’s torn apart by another line. All those ingredients make it a feast for listeners who don’t want to switch their brains off while listening to music. On the other hand it takes a lot of getting used to and some might fail in getting access. I really do hope there’s more to come from 206 after this one. But first I’d like to recommend their debut. Go check it out!
Tracklist
01. Keine Sonne Keine Cola - 1:52
02. Hallo Hoelle - 2:38
03. Goldjunge - 2:05
04. Kratzer To The Top - 2:08
05. Silbermuehle - 2:38
06. Der Junge Von Heute - 1:32
07. Dauerwerbesendung - 3:05
08. Blutig im Schnee - 2:56
09. Baader - 1:55
10. Erdbeerlounge - 2:29
11. Borniert - 1:24
12. Kaeltester Tag Der Welt - 2:02
13. Sachlich - 2:12
14. Republik Der Heiserkeit - 2:43
Line-Up
Timm Völker - Vocals, Guitar, Lyrics
Leif Ziemann - Bass
Florian Funke - Drums
Website
http://www.facebook.com/hallohoelle
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 8.5
