In 2004 a friend and colleague heard about my writing prowess and asked me to pen a couple of album reviews for a high-profile music website he was involved with. This is the second of those reviews for the Beatsteaks album SmackSmash.
Review: Beatsteaks – SmackSmash
For me bands fall into two categories, Studio Musicians who’s music is best suited to the electronic wizardry of production and Live Acts who have the ability to reproduce the essence of their records to an audience. With their new album “SmackSmash”, German Punk Rock N’ Rollers the Beatsteaks are 100% a Live Act. For in an interesting departure from the usual throw everything and see if it sticks approach of previous outings, this album was recorded live in the studio, with all members present and recording at the same time. The result is incredible.
From the ‘oh so inviting’ welcome message of “Hello there ladies and gentlemen…” this album just keeps on drawing you in. It’s an absolute stomper, jam-packed with catchy hooks and sing-along choruses that will keep you coming back for more again and again. As we’ve come to expect from the Beatsteaks this is an eclectic mix of styles and influences re-interpreted with Teutonic vivere, from the fist thumping opener “Big Attack” through the anthemic “Ain’t Complaining” to the Punk frenetic’s of “My Revelation”.
Anyone looking to revisit “Living Targets” territory however may find this album a bit strange to begin with. What the recording process has done is to allow the band to visit an even wider range of styles, one moment they come across all Rocket from the Crypt, even down to the brass section (Hello Joe), the next their The Police’s younger, more hectic, brother (Hand in Hand, I Don’t Care As Long As You Sing). Never fear however because they bring back the pure rock n’ roll onslaught for “Vision”, “Monster” and “Loyal to None”.
Buy this album and listen to it over and over again. Annoy your friends with it, sing along to it, air guitar to it, whatever floats your boat, just don’t stop listening to it or you’ll get the shakes guaranteed!
