The new album by POLKAHOLIX.
Many fans will be excited, cheering and storming the record store of their choice on August 6, 2010. Since its founding in 2001, the band has experienced a rise like few others. The media at home and abroad are overflowing with enthusiasm, and if the band's tour dates are to be believed, they have fans all over Europe.
So how is “Polkaface”? The title isn’t very original.
“Polkaface” has been received very well right from the start. The sound is perfect. The album was once again recorded in the legendary Hansa Studio in Berlin. The people there have proven their craft long before this album. The recording makes a significant difference for such a large band. So the band didn’t cut corners here.
Aside from the recording, however, it is difficult to praise the album consistently.
It starts off well; the first three songs have energy and perfectly mix polka, Balkan sound, schlager beat, brass, ska, and a pinch of punk. Even though “VIPs” lyrically reminds a bit of “Dickes B” by SEED, the song is a great opener. Two more hits follow. With “Hans Bleib da,” the band has rescued a fantastic piece of music into modern times and given it a polka twist. Number three, “S.C.H.E.I.D.U.N.G,” is so gleeful and provides so much strength after a breakup or divorce that I wouldn’t be surprised if the song played on repeat for some. However, it flattens out afterward. Both musically and lyrically. The music no longer has the beat of the first three songs. It lacks energy, it lacks that certain something.
The music comes across as more pleasing, radio-friendly, everyday... interchangeable.
This might still come off cool live with the right energy, but on CD, it’s hard to endure. The highlight is the song “Weißes Boot,” which really dances on the edge of taste. Extremely schmaltzy schlager beat. Creepy.
I prefer the version by DRITTE WAHL a thousand times more.
As for “Heut´Nacht (Küss mich Polka),” I’d rather keep my thoughts to myself, even more so than with “Weißes Boot.”
Fans of the band will probably love this album, just like the other records.
But if I want to listen to polka, I’d rather put on “Hauptstadtpolka.”
