Album Review: Paul Kalkbrenner – Guten Tag

Ever since writing and releasing the soundtrack for, and starring in, the brilliant, cult dance film Berlin Calling, Germany’s Paul Kalkbrenner has become a household name amongst the Electro music scene.

Now on the brink of releasing his second album since his rise to fame in 2008, the knob-twiddling musicians will be hoping that this new record, Guten Tag (Hello) will have a similar effect on the audience as his previous accomplishments.

It’s clear from the off that this record is likely to appeal only
to the niche, Electronic lovers among us. It’s the kind of music that anyone else might find themselves getting ready to in preparation for a “big night out”, or having it on in the background whilst pulling an all-nighter to get that important Uni deadline finished by the morning.

In a club environment, who knows? Perhaps it would be the “best part” of that previously mentioned “big night out”, but through headphones in an office, it hardly seems appropriate.
There is a couple of little moments throughout the album that do give you a brief instant of listening pleasure, but the 17 tracks, clocking up nearly an hour in length, largely go unnoticed.

That said, Paul Kalkbrenner must be doing something right. Soon he will be embarking on his first North American tour, and excitement is still very much active on the internet following his sets at this summers festivals.

It’s an album that probably sounds perfect to an avid Kalkbrenner fan, I’m just not convinced it has pulling pulling power for new ears, and I fail to see the attraction. Goodbye (Auf Wiedersehen).

By Rob Bramhill

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