Exactly two years ago, "Menschenmühle," the very good debut album by PIEFKE, saw the light of day, and it would be wonderful if "Probleme" could seamlessly continue from there. Unfortunately, it does not, and I am still searching for why I don't like the second album as much as their first work.
Almost everything has remained the same; just like with "Menschenmühle," the four Leipzig-based German-speaking punk rockers hit you hard with their straightforwardness. This time, however, there are 13 songs (one more) in only 23 minutes (7 minutes less).
Musically, "Probleme" is again top-notch, especially the bass lines are a hit (as a bassist, I know what I'm talking about; check out the video for "Schablone," which is linked above). The lyrics are okay, but I still can't get along with the vocals. However, like with "Menschenmühle," I find the record (yes, I have it on vinyl!) getting a little better each time.... relatively speaking.... from the original 6 points (after the first listen), it has now become 8 points (about a dozen plays later), but listening another 100 times (to maybe reach 10 points) would exceed the time frame.
But what is the reason that "Probleme" doesn't receive the full score?
Difficult.....
In the car (the MP3 download through a Bose sound system), the PIEFKE sound feels a bit too dull, while in the living room with an LG soundbar, the sound is okay.
Are the songs perhaps a bit more restless / uneven / choppy? At least it seems that way to me in part.
But I must confess.... I don't know, I can't adequately figure it out; there is no cognitive answer to this.....
Still, there's an extra point, not only because the album is also available on vinyl (but not as a CD!), but especially for the awesome design, layout, and feel of the cover and inner sleeve along with the lyrics.
