Who would have thought that I would ever discuss something by Böhse Onkelz, and then on ramtatta.de? I certainly didn't.
Now I have the new work by MATT GONZO ROEHR, the guitarist and songwriter of the band from Frankfurt, in front of me. And I am supposed to review this work.
To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to it. However, one is used to quite a bit at ramtatta.de, and listening in doesn't hurt.
I will spare you the history of MATT GONZO ROEHR's last albums. First of all, I don't own any of them, secondly, I don't want to spend an eternity researching online just to tell you what the connoisseur already knows, and thirdly, anyone interested in Matt will surely look it up online.
I will also refrain from any elaboration on the Onkelz. I have a clear opinion about the band, and it is not the opinion that Onkelz fans have.
I will try to objectively say a few sentences about “Blitz & Donner.”
Right from the first listen, it becomes clear that MATT has quite a bit of experience. The melodies of the songs and the arrangements show that the man from Frankfurt am Main knows how to do it. In particular, his guitar work is fascinating and clearly puts every German rock band I know in the shade. Here plays someone who loves the guitar and completely masters the instrument. This makes “Blitz & Donner” pleasantly stand out from all the German rock nonsense that, while citing the Onkelz as an influence, creates a sound more suited for angry suburban gorillas. What comes here is something entirely different. Depth, gentle tones, life experience, and intelligence.
The lyrics come across as if they were written in 10 minutes. It probably took much longer, because good rhyme structure and solid verse construction usually don't come from a shaken hand. Nevertheless, the lyrics come across this way because they are human and speak directly to you. As a result, whether you want to or not, you are forced to engage with the songs and the sound. MATT GONZO ROEHR has managed to make me not only look at the booklet but also read it completely. The lyrics have depth and I like them! Indeed!
Not overthought, but intellectual. Thought-provoking, but not emo. Metaphor as a means to an end and not as a substitute for weaknesses in formulation. The twelve songs showcase the entire life experience of the young man from Frankfurt. Some themes are not new, but the interpretation is so precise that no questions arise that lead in the direction of lack of ideas. And again and again, this incredibly good guitar work.
“Blitz & Donner” is not German rock; it is far too intelligent and too good for that.
Yes, indeed, I cannot help but give a good judgment here.
Only one thing may still be noted.
MATT GONZO ROEHR says about his songs, “Packaging social criticism in an understandable form and thereby prompting further and new thinking is what I want to achieve with my lyrics,” and further, “Plain language for all who still walk upright.” When I think of the dull German rocker, I don't know if he even understands lines like the following, let alone if they provoke him to think:
…Opportunists, artificially outraged. The dumber the saying, the higher its value…
…you fidget in the net of your inadequacies. Living with a weak memory is damn comfortable.
…I am arrogance. My brother is stupidity. We are the thought police.
But maybe I also underestimate some people.
Greetings from Berlin to Frankfurt am Main. “Blitz & Donner” plays in a league of its own that truly surprises me. Hats off!
