Search - Moti Special :: Motivation

Infectious 80's European(German) Pop !

Armando M. Mesa | Chandler, AZ | 01/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Released in 1985, primarily and possibly only for the European market, Moti Special was a German-multi ethnic pop-band. A pretty boy band? Absolutely not---these guys were adults. Yet, the group's only successful band member/keyboardist would be and still is Michael Cretu of the current new age ambient group Enigma and husband to European pop-star Sandra. However, do not expect any Enigma-like tracks(though you may be able to pick up echoing future traces in his excellent keyboarding skills). The Moti Special sound is instantly recognizeable by music fans of the 80's neu deutsch welle musical movement. New deutsch was basically a title for the genre of pop music coming out of Germany during the early to mid 80's;Heavy atmospheric synthesized dance music set to emulate Westernized-American pop with enough catchy melodies and interesting hooks and a faint underlying funk or groove feel.It was the European mirrored image of the American pop scene of the time. This is not Euro-trash or the remnants of disco music by any means ! This is really great stuff. All lyrics sung in English tended to throw the listener off by thinking the group was an American or even a British pop band. Lead singer Tissy Thiers' vocal chops do carry a somewhat startling similarity to the falsettos of the Bee Gees but with a harsher, edgier feel. Some tracks are sung without the falsetto which can only be described as regular male vocal pop fare.Listening to Thiers' falsetto on some tracks may take some time getting used to(but eventually the vocal style may grow on you---in addition, the musical hooks keep the entire experience afloat pretty well).The best high energy tracks or standouts are Cold Days, Hot Nights,Don't Be So Shy, Motivation, Every Minute, and Stop! Girls Go Crazy...This is a highly recommended import (can also be purchased through various c.d. import websites)!"