This article was automatically translated by AI.
Oh right, I remember: With their previous album "Gib Acht!" (which can be read here), Dritte Wahl - contrary to all my fears - made a huge impact that quickly dispelled the aforementioned anxiety. I was ready to give the Rostock band a solid 9 out of 10 points for their very successful album. But now, almost 4 years later, that familiar feeling has returned, making me eagerly listen to the silver disc…
Before the CD even starts spinning, I take a closer look at the attractive packaging, which is entirely silver. The words "Dritte Wahl" and a strange figure with a small device, reminiscent of "Men in Black," stand out in red-orange-black tones on the cover. Upon opening it, I am greeted by a flock of sheep and the chorus of the title track "Geblitzdingst": "It wasn't that hard if I were geblitzdingst." This is probably another small but fine reference to what I can expect in the next 51 minutes: punk rock with the usual good lyrics! But enough about the visuals, now it’s time for the music:
Before the first notes rush by, a warm and familiar feeling sets in: Dritte Wahl are back! Gunnar's distinctive voice drives the first song "Der Spiegel" forward and captivates me from the very beginning. I particularly appreciate - and I’m very pleased to see my hopes from a few seconds ago confirmed - the lyrical elaboration, which not only personally resonates with me but also sounds incredibly strong on its own:
"Are you happy, are you happy, I ask you! / As soon as I say yes, he says 'But I'm not' / Are you happy, are you happy or not? / It would be easier if you were a bit more like me".
Very nice, considering that you are talking to your own reflection…
Before I can process the first song, the next one starts:
"Geblitzdingst" kicks off immediately and catches my attention with its interesting rhythm. I instantly feel the urge to dance. The verses flow seamlessly, bringing a tiny hint of spoken word and addressing the biggest mass murderer of brain cells: television. Nothing happening, everyone gone, boredom in your own four walls: So why not turn on the TV?
A great song that is a lot of fun and revisits a dusty theme in an interesting way.
"Stillstehen," on the other hand, catapults you back a few decades and confirms the strange feeling that has emerged. A glance at the band members provides clarity: Alongside Gunnar (guitar), Stefan (bass), and Krel (drums), Dietmar now joins in, who plays the piano. Anyone who has seen the Rostockers live in recent years will likely have seen this person known as "Dietmar," who has accompanied many songs live (e.g., "Wo ist mein Preis?").
Here, Dritte Wahl show their experimental side again: With electric effects (whether harmonic sounds or percussive, rhythmic sounds), the band begins to expand their songs in a very versatile way, requiring attentive listening. The range of effects used is simply too vast and indescribable.
What is clear, however, is that "Stillstehen" is a beautiful, slightly poppy love song and is currently one of my favorites. Strong piece!
For those who are not in the mood for longing, heartache, or melancholy, there is "F.D.S.," which is probably one of the most unique songs of this band. The typical punk rock sound is indeed underscored by screaming, where Gunnar unloads all his bad mood. This is particularly interesting from the standpoint that the band is not known for screaming. What the frontman can still deliver vocally despite his age is impressive. Nice:
"The milk is bad, the coffee's out, no clean cutlery / And on the toilet, my pencil breaks while doing Sudoku"
A very nice title that gladly takes away all the crap when you yourself shout "Fick den Scheiss!!" (which is what "F.D.S." stands for). I particularly enjoyed the screaming after a pre-recorded relaxation melody was brutally interrupted and commented with the words "I don't want to calm down!" Here, a great combination of bad mood and a little pinch of humor shines through.
As the album progresses, more and more beautiful songs emerge:
For example, "Zu wahr, um schön zu sein," which sounds a bit like country and is accompanied by the banjo among other instruments. The lyrics here do not disappoint and make me tap my foot repeatedly. Later, the song even becomes very danceable when the drums kick in. I can imagine it being especially great live!
"Teufel und Dämonen," on the other hand, rolls in with the old slogan "It's war!" and goes straight ahead. Fast tempo, a few borrowings from the metal genre, and some good lyrical passages carry the song straight into all regions of the brain. Here too, I recognize an incredibly large live potential.
As beautiful and exciting as the beginning of the album was, by the end, a bit of disillusionment sets in. I had expected a bit more from the song "Was weiss ich schon von der Liebe." While it is a bit of a letdown, somehow the musical elaboration and the male and female choir in the chorus make it feel like it could be a Ballermann hit. Help! It could also just be my imagination, but somehow the song gives me very little… it's a pity, as I expected a nice ballad from the title. But at least the short organ part at the end of the song is quite nice…
Much less severe, but still relatively inconspicuous are "Immer auf der Reise" or "Noch einmal," which, while lyrically (as always, really) well-crafted and often make you nod in agreement, are overall quite subdued. It's okay if they play in the background, but nothing more. I wouldn't really want to listen to either of them consciously.
A bit better are "Eure Zukunft" and "Sirenen," which are equal in lyrics but musically significantly better and more interestingly crafted. Especially because in "Sirenen," the piano comes in with some nice effects and creates a great atmosphere.
What else is there to say in the end?
"Geblitzdingst" fits well into the band's discography and expands the musical repertoire with many interesting songs that recognize a lot of the old while still allowing for new elements. The first half of the album is particularly strong and plays almost on a loop. The other half, however, is not uninteresting and far from "bad," but it is nowhere near as captivating as the first songs. Of course, there are also many lyrical treasures buried here, waiting to be unearthed… even in the Ballermann hit "Was weiss ich schon von der Liebe."
In summary, I am glad that the trio (which is now a quartet) from the north has once again shown that one can change and evolve without losing their ideals or core aspects. "Geblitzdingst" can therefore be confidently recommended to any fan… and of course to those who are not averse to good rock music.
In that sense: I am very much looking forward to it!
