The GUMBLES from Schwerin, now also active for 12 years, disappointed me with their last split release with Berliner Weisse. There wasn't much to hear from the Schwerin band in terms of the humor, lightness, and catchy songs of the past. It wasn't because they had chosen songs by David Hasselhoff; after all, David Hasselhoff was all the rage back then.
With "Generation 21," the new record by the GUMBLES is now out. No split, no cover songs, all GUMBLES - original compositions.
And the opener is exactly what you would expect from the guys. Powerful, catchy, and with a chorus that you can already sing along to after the second listen, it's also too beautiful, as it goes like this:
That's how it should be,
and it has always been that way.
Come join us
At the crazy GUMBLES punk rock show!
This is how you know the band, and in between, always the Duff-Men, with tasty beer and pure party.
It continues just like that with "Die Geilsten." The band describes their fans and how they go wild at the concert. Two perfect live tracks! This is why the band is loved.
But anyone who thinks, "Well, the GUMBLES were like this 10 years ago, so there's no development," should be told, "Far from it!".
The song "Rosenkavalier" describes the eternal conflict between man and woman, between thirst and intoxication, between will and way. A song that speaks from the heart of anyone who has been in the scene for a few years. You know it, truly! This song, not cheerful, is very reflective. Not necessarily what you would expect from the combo, but age does not pass them by without a trace.
"Momente" hits the same note, although this song moves strongly on the edge, veering left towards kitsch and right towards schlager. A song that could actually be a ballad, beautifully accompanied by acoustic guitar and vocals, can create goosebumps, especially live. Too many feelings are rather suspicious to us boys, and so it goes with "Der perfekte Tag" in the direction of Berliner Weisse (at least at the beginning of the song) and Volxsturm (from the middle of the song).
Volxsturm is indeed the right band name that keeps coming up while listening to the second half of the album. The lyrics are no longer the party texts of the first songs. These are songs that testify to a certain life experience. Thus, one can sing the revue-passing song "In all den Jahren" without embarrassment.
Before the touching song "Kinderaugen" brings the album to a worthy conclusion, the overall impression of "Generation 21" is revealed. You can still party like before, but you know life and have gained experiences. All of this may not make you calmer but, in a way, more far-sighted. It's still Oi! It's still punk rock!
GUMBLES are the Volxsturm youth. That's how it is when you grow up. You can still stay cool; the GUMBLES are the best example of that.
Let’s get ready to Gumble!
