Glucksmaschinen

Tapete presents an album by one of Germany's most legendary indie acts, Fehlfarben, comprised of former members of DAF, Mittagspause, S.Y.P.H. and Der Plan - a "who's who" of the most influential bands of the late '70s German new wave and punk scene. Their epochal 1980 album Monarchie Und Alltag was one of the '80s most important albums, as well as being a top-seller, including the Neue Deutsche Welle anthem "Ein Jahr (Es Geht Voran)." Now, quite unexpectedly, they present Glücksmaschinen (loosely translated to "bliss machines"). It's important to listen to these 8 tracks without any notion of the historical importance/ballast of the band that produced them, for Fehlfarben prove that they still reign as post-punk/new wave masters. Produced by Moses Schneider (Tocotronic, Kante, Beatsteaks), this album was recorded mostly live, with no overdub sessions to even out the sound. Fehlfarben haven't sounded this fresh and vital since the peak of their heyday, with driving, abrasive guitars, and of course, vocalist Peter Hein's rousing lyrics. Thirty years after Monarchie Und Alltag, it would do well for every young band to have half the clarity and power of Fehlfarben in 2010.