Search - Einsturzende Neubauten :: Five on the Open-Ended Richter Scale

Fünf Sterne auf diesem Skala

M. Fantino | San Francisco, California USA | 10/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have all of Einstürzende Neubautens' releases in one form or another (except for their post 2000 releases, sadly). This one I have on LP and I invite anyone who cares to look at the LP next time you are in a record shop because it's cover is far more beautiful than the CD version. The LP has silhouetted images of the band in modern-dance poses, their fingers, legs and hair like a beautiful choreography by Isadora Duncan. I'm not sure why they changed the look for the CD, life is funny that way. Of all their wonderful albums, this and Haus der Luge are my absolute favorites. They come from a similar pinnacle of their long and varied career where they coaxed each piece of metal, every giant spring, bucket of sand, etc. into a musical tapestry of pulsating rhythm. Blixa Bargeld's voice has come a long way from Negativ Nein's frightening scream, and on this album he manages to sing in a whisper, a chant and of course, his trademark screech that sounds less like a voice than it does a drill boring it's way through a bell. This album is more hypnotic and, at times, even cozy. Like sitting in the worlds most comfortable chair watching the fireplace blaze so fierce and brilliant that it burns down the entire room, but you are too comfortable and mesmerized to move.
Fuenf Auf Der Nach Oben Offenen Richterskala contains what I think is their third English song. It's a cover of Tim Rose's Morning Dew (more people should get into Tim Rose). Their version is definitely much different than Tim Rose would have ever dreamed, even in his less than lucid moments. Morning Dew is one of the several highlights of this album, though, Ich Bin is more widely praised. MONDIMIDOFRSASO (the days of the week, I love the acoustic bit at the end), Zerstoerte Zelle and Kein Bestandteil Sein are my favorites. Anyone reading this probably has been drawn to Einstürzende Neubauten for one reason or another. They are still one of the most important industrial acts out there, as well as one of the genres godfathers. Blixa's work with Nick Cave has been mutually rewarding. Fans of either should cross reference. Whatever the reason you came this far is, start with this album (or Haus Der Luge) and then move on to their three volumes of Strategies Against Architecture. This is a fantastic album."

Above all possible labels, a work of Art

Felipe Pelussi | Vinhedo, SP Brazil | 12/11/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Despite being called "the godfathers of Industrial music", and renowned (and by others infamous) by their unusual experiments with metals, what Einsturzende Neubauten has done in their fifth album, Fuenf .., is a further complex piece of music, especially today, while we are adrift a thousand variations of styles which, according to Blixa himself, are created months after months. Alike the predecessors primitive pieces, "Zeichnungen" or "Halber Mensch", Blixa sings in a silent mood, whispering, but this time not yelling much, while the band swim into an eerie and brooding ambient, and the quirky and conceptual lyrics of existencialism and hallucinations (maybe?) are still present.
But it also shows the band development and maturity along the years, like the acessible cover of Tim Rose's "Morning Dew", a 5 minute melodic composition, providing a new and interesting experience here, which would proceed in future albums like "Tabula Rasa" or "Ende Neu".Highlights here are "Zestoerte Zelle", a 7 minute piece which
almost goes through only a bass line and some whispers spoken in riddles, almost an monologue, until bursting into a higher volume and cellos evoking Blixa's act. Also, "Momidifrsaso" (and its awesome and unexpected end) and "Ich Bin", a couple of energic songs, a EN traditional stamp. An historic album to a singular career, as I view it, of a band who was crossed between their astounding past and a possibility of making something driven to the commom strukturs."

Amazing

I X Key | tomorrow | 03/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd is so incredible. Dark, moving, melodic, anti-melodically minimal, pure genius. It starts with some beautiful songs, then meets its pounding, driving climax in Ich Bins & ends powerfully with very forboding, haunting minimalism. With the slow tempos & melodies, probably not what anyone expected from them when it was first released. Brutally unveering from the Neubauten musical vision. Very highly recommended."