Bonjour Tristesse, a new album by the Neuss phenomenon Christian “Ötte” Otte. What should one expect? Hard-hitting pig rock like that found on the Saitenwechsel album? Or rather a party-oriented album chasing trends?
Neither, my dear readers. It is an album far removed from any tristesse. It is simply the album that had to come out. A revelation to oneself and to music. Pure, honest, sometimes rocking, sometimes balladic, sometimes radio-oriented and commercial – but honest.
With the first track “Heimat”, a fine guitar is unpacked, adding a beautiful fullness to the song, making it a perfect opener. It continues seamlessly, with a pop-infused German rock sound in “Was wirklich zählt” that at times reminds one of Wolf Maahn, both vocally and musically. “Meine Lieder” has exactly what one expects from a musical work by Ötte, earworm character…. Very nice, just how it should be.
“Wie einst in Mai” is a re-recording from the “Die Rückkehr der geilen Engel” album, though I must say I preferred the original. The new version has too much of a pop character for my taste, which would have fit if it had been heard for the first time. But the song comes from another time; therefore, I ask that such pieces not be re-recorded, but left as they are. That was an era of the ÖTTEBAND that has ended, now a new time has come.
With “Mein Schiff”, I have the feeling that mastermind Christian Otte has put a lot of emotion into the lyrics, which makes this piece very likable. And so it continues steadily. Already after the sixth track out of a total of 11, one doesn’t even need to pick out each individual song anymore, but can quickly come to an overall conclusion.
For me, this album is the best, most demanding album from a passionate musician who has poured his love and passion into each individual piece. You can hear it, and it must simply be accepted. Of course, there will be opposition again. But that should not deter the enterprising Ötte.
Who is this album for?
For anyone who wants to engage with it. For the rocker (Bonjour Tristesse), for the singer-songwriter fan, and for all those who know that German rock is not Freiwild and Co, but BAP, Wolf Maahn, or Stoppok.
My final conclusion: Awesome, honest, and the best musical work after over 20 years of presence in the local music scene …
HIGHEST RATING
