It's always difficult to write critically about colleagues without coming off as a backstabber. In front of me lies the latest work of the newly reformed „Massendefekt“. What do I know about the band? - not much, except that they were taken under the wing of Ex-Hose Wölli back in the day and have recently undergone a singer change. I haven't consciously listened to a single song by this band, but since I need to clean the kitchen anyway, I might as well put it on and see what comes my way.
First impression:
Sorry, but the first song „Überlebt“ sounds strongly like a mix of Onkelz/Hosen, and that's certainly not a compliment for me. Well, at least the lyrics rhyme, which can't be said for the sugary pop of the other Düsseldorf band. However, what bad things have happened and why I was also there remains a question.
And now we are at the second song „Der Hoffnung entgegen“. Oh, someone has been listening to Montreal, I think to myself, and apparently, they are not just chasing the “sun”... This is confirmed again in song number 3! American high school punk, à la Blink 4711 or Sum41, just without humor and charm. Multi-voiced guitar solos that could also be found in a Maiden song or by Helloween. Nicely recorded, but insignificant, nothing that really blows me away.
In the obligatory ballad “Tagebuch”, one could completely imagine that Campino wrote the song. Also always nice with the typical sing-along, clap-along part in the middle…
Somehow, it all feels like it has been done before, and I assume that authenticity is not particularly valued here, as they are too close to the supposed role models and unfortunately come off as a mere copy.
And here lies the problem I have with these bands: The whining! “I'm in a bad place” - “Everything was different/better back then” - “Do you feel just like I do”... Always this “the world has thrown me up, but I'm not alone” nonsense. Unfortunately, without a wink or (hidden) humor behind it. And when something goes in that direction, it gets messed up again, like with „Wer sitzt fliegt raus“. Where you also get informed about which age group this was produced for. By the way, the song was in a different version on the last EP, which could even provoke a smile there. Despite everything, it is so far the best song on the album, because here the humor of Montreal can be captured to some extent. If you're going to copy, then do it right. With an MTV-esque unplugged version of „Wellenreiter“, the first part of the album also ends.
For the fans and due to the band's 10th anniversary, 12 old tracks from previous albums were re-recorded.
Anyone who finds the Onkelz too disbanded, the Hosen too old, Montreal too funny, or who is into victim rock, can't go wrong here.
This album will certainly sell, probably even brilliantly, considering the current German rock boom, and this is just my subjective opinion, but for me, it's nothing.
Surely the guys master their instruments and it is produced for mass appeal. With a few exceptions („Jogger der Liebe"), there is no total failure, but nothing moves me here, in any direction. The Massendefekt fan will surely love this album, buy it, and ensure chart success.
