Review Summary: Berlin Alt-Rockers attempt to crack the mainstream market with lifeless effort.
Given its size, its proximity to the rest of Europe, especially the United Kingdom, and its economic might, it seems odd that Germany hasn't made more of a cultural impact in the music scene and especially in the world of rock. In their fatherland, the Beatsteaks are a band capable of filling arenas with fans of their once hardcore punk, these days it's more alt-rock sound; So a retrospective review on an album that back in 2011 didn't excite me and 4 years later, hasn't really changed much.
For a band that formed in 1995 and who had five previous studio albums, you would imagine that they would have found their sound and strive to perfect it while keeping fresh. The Bouncing Souls are a band that started out similar and have moved away from their hardcore roots but still have a foothold within the punk genre and still keep their music interesting, but for Beatsteaks this is a bland and an unconvincing dip into the world of mainstream for a band with some pedigree and a back catalogue of solid albums.
The one major thing this 11 track set is lacking is any real identity. This isn't necessarily a fatal blow - but for a band that at the time had been around for 16 years, it's curious to see such a dramatic change in only 4 years. Some bands can make it work like AFI with Sing For Sorrow but the simple fact of the matter is that none of the songs on the album are particularly good. They can be applauded for having authored a sound that is some distance removed from their sharp and punky point of origin, but at the same time one should question the purpose of a journey when the destination turns out to be a dumping ground. Too much of boombox is indie-rock of the most flaccid and ramshackle stripe, with rarely any feeling or originality, take the opening track which sounds like a bad karaoke version of Mr Brightside by The Killers.
The only bright spark on the whole album is the unrestrained and thus rather irresistible Behaviour, it's a shame the heat was only turned up for a minute and thirteen seconds because it is barely enough to get you luke warm let alone sweating and throwing punches. If they had made thirty three minutes more of that, then it would have been a good, possibly even great album, but with this album they don't sound anything like a band worthy of any kind of attention at all.
Recomended Song: Behaviour.
