Illegale Farben
Monte Fiasko
Monte Fiasko, or the peak of catastrophe. The fourth album by NDW post-punkers ILLEGALE FARBEN from Cologne provides a gloomy, driving soundtrack to these major and minor crises in our private lives and in the world. Monte Fiasko starts programmatically with the statement, "Something is in the air". "Fur Immer November" relocates Groundhog Day from the picturesque small town of the movie theater to the bleak reality of West Germany. "Mowen" is the finest indie pop and calls for a communal crawl. The quiet songs such as "Schrecken oder Plagen" and "Slow Dance" are even more atmospheric. Post-punk, with a capital "P", is screamed in songs such as "Gefuhle" or "Geisterbahn", while the spirit of the 80s wafts through "10 Sekunden", "Amerika" or "Stadt der Ratten". The themes are as varied as the sounds. It's about loneliness, self-doubt and resignation. Illegal Colors are still not showing their fun side, the tenor remains blue-grey. The musical guests on Monte Fiasko are also new: in addition to Stefanie Schrank from Locas in Love, Cecilia Bostrom from The Baboon Show is also on board for one song each. Neither is a coincidence, as there are long-standing connections with the artists, who each bring their own unique touch to the album. Stylistically, the album is a daring mix of the post-punk sounds of the first two albums, the contemplative restraint of the last work, "insignificantly imprecise", and rousing indie rock. Always rounded off with a good dose of NDW, be it in the music or in the lyrics. An "album" in the classic sense has been produced here, which of course can at best be listened to on LP.