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Molecules · 10-13-2009, 05:55 AM

Halber Mensch (1985)

Perhaps to the relief of some, ½ Mensch is often referred to as a breakthrough album and a fan favourite. Melody and a more tangible song structure make their first real appearance, and to the hardened Neubauten listener this album will feel somewhat accessible. To me it is like the edges have been sanded down, resulting in something closer to the gruff, Rammstein-esque (let's not get carried away now) German industrial stereotype, with everything from imperialistic marching rhythms to doom-laden bass doubling as the film orchestra from hell. But they haven't descended into self-parody just yet, remember that for 1985 this is about as fresh as it gets.

Bargeld's voice is back to the fore displaying as much dynamic range as ever (his inhaled screams are particularly entertaining) and you realise just how apt the German language is with for this kind of music with its guttural harshness. This is balanced by Neubauten's first English lyrics and one of the best songs on the album in 'Sand', where Bargeld showcases a tantalizing singing potential. In fact, appropriately enough, ½ Mensch is probably the best entry point for fans of Bargeld's other band at the time, the Bad Seeds, whose Louisiana swamp-chants and pounding devil's blues seem to have infiltrated the machinist purity of the Neubauten.

The move towards a more EBM-influenced sound is evident, particularly in the rhythm of 'Yü-Gung (Fütter Mein Ego)', a sub-underground club anthem from a bad cyberpunk film. In this track a typically intricate, building found-sound backing is meshed with a techno throb and even keyboard hits. The finger-snapping of 'Z.N.S.' is positively sassy, even the pleasingly hideous rusted screeching in 'Der Tot ist ein Dandy' (the sound of a ghost train passing by) has brash lyrics, it's almost like they're starting to have fun or something:
'A drag deep in the void / No nag, no mare / Like the knight in the game of games / Death is a dandy / Death is a dandy on a horse / The horseman has style / Flattering to the eyes / Hands in bandage'

A black humour can be heard throughout and read in the lyrics (go to their website), but surely the first kick in the teeth on 1985's new building is the title track 'Halber Mensch (Half Man)'. This could have been the anthem of the disempowered salaryman - 'cables laid long ago, hanging from your nerve' - a multi-tracked a cappella nightmare to open proceedings and remind you of Tetsuo, as most music from our intrepid industrial adventurers tends to do.

Halber Mensch is also much shorter than anything up to this point, and the anything-goes structure of the album is enough to keep any Neubauten virgin on their toes. Not my favourite of theirs, subject to mood, but a trailblazing and popular one nonetheless with plenty to recommend it. NOT their partay album.

++

10-13-2009, 05:55 AM	#9 (permalink)
Molecules daddy don't Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: the Wastes Posts: 2,577	Halber Mensch (1985) Perhaps to the relief of some, ½ Mensch is often referred to as a breakthrough album and a fan favourite. Melody and a more tangible song structure make their first real appearance, and to the hardened Neubauten listener this album will feel somewhat accessible. To me it is like the edges have been sanded down, resulting in something closer to the gruff, Rammstein-esque (let's not get carried away now) German industrial stereotype, with everything from imperialistic marching rhythms to doom-laden bass doubling as the film orchestra from hell. But they haven't descended into self-parody just yet, remember that for 1985 this is about as fresh as it gets. Bargeld's voice is back to the fore displaying as much dynamic range as ever (his inhaled screams are particularly entertaining) and you realise just how apt the German language is with for this kind of music with its guttural harshness. This is balanced by Neubauten's first English lyrics and one of the best songs on the album in 'Sand', where Bargeld showcases a tantalizing singing potential. In fact, appropriately enough, ½ Mensch is probably the best entry point for fans of Bargeld's other band at the time, the Bad Seeds, whose Louisiana swamp-chants and pounding devil's blues seem to have infiltrated the machinist purity of the Neubauten. The move towards a more EBM-influenced sound is evident, particularly in the rhythm of 'Yü-Gung (Fütter Mein Ego)', a sub-underground club anthem from a bad cyberpunk film. In this track a typically intricate, building found-sound backing is meshed with a techno throb and even keyboard hits. The finger-snapping of 'Z.N.S.' is positively sassy, even the pleasingly hideous rusted screeching in 'Der Tot ist ein Dandy' (the sound of a ghost train passing by) has brash lyrics, it's almost like they're starting to have fun or something: 'A drag deep in the void / No nag, no mare / Like the knight in the game of games / Death is a dandy / Death is a dandy on a horse / The horseman has style / Flattering to the eyes / Hands in bandage' A black humour can be heard throughout and read in the lyrics (go to their website), but surely the first kick in the teeth on 1985's new building is the title track 'Halber Mensch (Half Man)'. This could have been the anthem of the disempowered salaryman - 'cables laid long ago, hanging from your nerve' - a multi-tracked a cappella nightmare to open proceedings and remind you of Tetsuo, as most music from our intrepid industrial adventurers tends to do. Halber Mensch is also much shorter than anything up to this point, and the anything-goes structure of the album is enough to keep any Neubauten virgin on their toes. Not my favourite of theirs, subject to mood, but a trailblazing and popular one nonetheless with plenty to recommend it. NOT their partay album. ++ __________________ [SIZE="1"]Eff em tumble her Last edited by Molecules; 10-18-2009 at 05:14 PM.