JOHNNIE ROOK have finally made it! They are on a major label!!
Well, in truth, they are on Super Kamiokande Detector, a subsidiary of Major Label, but who cares? Major Label has illustrious bands like Troublekid, Kommando Sonne-nmilch, Fliehende Stürme, Boxhamsters, and Leatherface under contract.
The dynamic five-piece from Berlin-Pankow has packed the album with 16 tracks (15 songs and one “No Song”), which is not hard for this band, as the four guys and the girl on vocals have a great creative output. The band manages to channel this creative output and transform it into powerful songs. Even on the first listen, it is noticeable that the songs have more power than on the previous albums. There is also more tempo at play, yet it remains very diverse punk rock.
JOHNNIE ROOK have a unique style characterized by virtuosic guitars, diverse melodies, a powerful drumming, and of course, Franziska's strong vocal presence. They have perfected this style on this album.
The songs are fast, sometimes perhaps even too fast. Franziska sometimes screams and sings her throat out in a frantic manner and has to struggle to keep up with the male band members who push her forward. Here, perhaps a bit of tempo could have been taken out to give the vocals more space, but maybe I only notice this because the CD has been playing in my player for days.
What is just as important to the band as playing demanding punk rock are the lyrics. These are sung entirely in German on this album. This makes one engage even more with the lyrics than before.
Even the first song “Ratten” shows that the band knows how to handle language and finds the right words to express that we should not let ourselves be distracted by all the illusions in the world and should follow our own path. If a rebellion is necessary for that, then so be it. A small excerpt from the lyrics:
For no walls
and no barbed wire
shiny mirror surfaces
can keep us from the uprising
Although wrapped in a catchy melody, the second song “Meine Schuld” is a highly emotional, sad song, just like “Schlimmer als der Tod.” Two songs that deal with the theme of death using vivid language and emotional words. A topic that no one likes to deal with. How the band addresses this theme without resorting to cheap sentimentality is truly impressive.
With further songs on the CD, the band tackles the injustice in the world. They are keen observers, good judges of character, and they are humane.
The band has matured, but that doesn’t mean it now smells of emo on stage. There, the band feels most at home, and the live concerts are still full of energy and good vibes.
In their nearly 10 years of existence, the band has built not only an intense friendship with Bambix from Holland but also other friendships with musicians. Two of them are featured as guests on “Stimmungsgerät.” One is Gunnar from Dritte Wahl and the other is Nika from Divakollektiv.
Anyone who enjoys demanding punk rock with equally compelling lyrics cannot overlook JOHNNIE ROOK.
The CD comes in a beautiful digipack, and the booklet includes all the lyrics as well as some drawings by bassist Jan. The overall package is spot on! Buy it and go to one of the band's upcoming concerts. Current dates are available on their homepage.
