Josef Herman's early, cathartic work should not be missed
Red Army Faction Blues persuasively blends fact and fiction in its account of Germany's turbulent times from the '60s to the '80s, writes Paul Simon
Josef Herman's early, cathartic work should not be missed
Take lyrics a bit too seriously? This might just be the band for you.
Art Brut's Eddie Argos, never one to back away from pop's vital mission of taking ridiculous ideas to their natural conclusion, has written an album of responses to pop songs that have struck him as unfair or incorrect.
So Avril Lavigne's Girlfriend is dismissed as the work of a scary stalker, Frank Sinatra is reminded that My Way Is Not Always The Best Way and electro-pop highlight Billy's Genes looks at Michael Jackson's '80s classic from the perspective of the song's resulting illegitimate child. "You left us in such a mess/no need for a paternity test."
Remarkably, this album works without ever straying into novelty or pastiche. With Eddie's trademark dead-pan vocals coupled to Dylan of The Blood Arm's sweet backing vocals and choruses, EWITFR...N! have produced an early contender for album of the year.
If you have enjoyed this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep publishing your paper.
Printable
Email