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The last album “Tag vor dem Abend“ was rated very well by me (the review can be read at http://www.ramtatta.de/s/reviews/f/details/id/3915/), so naturally, the question arises whether the band can follow up with “Here and Now or Never“.
Of course, it must be said that EL BOSSO & DIE PING PONGS are not just a Ska band that has been around for a long time, but one of the best German Ska bands. They were even the first German Ska band to sing entirely in German. They are still one of the few German-speaking Ska bands. This gave the band a unique selling point in the past, and they still have it today. The lyrics of the twelve songs are all in German as well. The band shows with each song that you can write cool lyrics in German too. Many bands that shy away from this can confidently listen to any album by the band and see that it is possible. If you have the groove, the flow, or whatever you want to call it. Maybe you just have to be as cool as the band from Münster, and then it will work out.
What the band has captured on this silver disc is again cool stuff, I really have to say.
Even the opener “Egal“ is musically a great dance number, getting those tired legs moving nicely, warming up for more dancing. Lyrically, the song conveys a nice life experience (“It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, completely irrelevant, just don't regret it”). So, just do what you feel like, but do it consistently and with all the consequences. Decide on a path and follow it without letting outside influences sway you.
Then it gets groovy. “Von Vorn“ fits perfectly with the first song; the legs are warmed up and can move coolly here. It doesn't even bother me that the structure of the lyrics and the rhyme rhythm remind me a bit of the Berlin Boom Orchestra.
They also have songs that groove like crazy.
The title track “Hier und Jetzt oder Nie“ fits perfectly on the radio. Maybe it's meant to hint at that (“Here and Now or Never… our song on the radio”)? This song has a slightly poppier feel. It leans quite a bit towards Ska-Pop.
Next up is a pretty punk-influenced “Arsch vorbei“. This song is guaranteed to be a real hit live. Everything just clicks. Sing along, dance, listen, have fun; with this song, everything works!
And for the old school, there’s “Tanz, Tanz, Tanz“. Yeah! Nice, with a rum in hand and swaying hips and longing looks. The perfect song for warm nights!
In line with that is “Wie schön es doch war“. This warm summer night with the unknown person who was really fun. But now, it's over, and you warm up again and get going. This song goes that way too. Rocking and with brass accompaniment.
Then finally, the organ plays an important role in “Reich aber glücklich“. This song is, for me, the best song on the album. Witty, ironic, provocative lyrics with perfect musical accompaniment. If you don't have to grin while listening to this, you should check yourself in somewhere. And if you're heading to Corfu this summer, keep your eyes open!
So, I've briefly mentioned seven songs here and will just continue. If you've had enough already, thank you for reading. If you've already left for your trusted record dealer, you won't regret it. And if you're still undecided, just keep reading.
“Bis zum nächsten Tag“ invites the crowd to dance; it could also become a mass-appeal song. But that's not a bad thing if it does, because that's just how it is with this band. They are so damn likable and cool that it's totally okay. I wish that for the band anyway.
If you still have energy, let your hips swing, your arms circle, and your feet move. An instrumental piece is “Brutus“. A piece of pure, awesome Ska! Turn it up, dance, enjoy. Here the band shows what they can do, and they will surely play this song live. Yes, it’s really fun.
Now, the last two pieces. “Gib mir was“. What a Ska-hippie number. Or a love declaration to the partner? Or a dance number to connect with an unknown dancer? And isn't Dr. Ring Ding to be heard? And isn't this a cover version of “Gimme Some“ with German lyrics?
Questions upon questions, but one question remains unasked: is a corpse lonely? This title belongs to the last song “Einsame Leiche“. A beautiful, calm, somewhat melancholic song.
Now I've gone through all twelve songs, no misses, no harsh criticism, just twelve times enthusiasm. Twelve times EL BOSSO & DIE PING PONGS at their best. Hats off!!
