CELTIC FOLK PUNK AND MORE – Morgen, Kinder, und übermorgen auch

The German band Nobody Knows cannot take a rest. Max and his bandmates are always active. I would say that before having finished a project, they are working in the next one. For them, the term ‘(world music)’ must be understood in a different way. They play a modern folk that comes from different sources (Germany, East Europe, Ireland and Scotland, France, North America …), but they pay special attention to the instrumentation, sonority, live shows and, I guess, to the lyrics.

This time they are offering a new labour of love about the Holidays. It’s not your usual Christmas song album, even if a cover of ‘(Jingle Bell Rock)’ has made the album. Every small detail is important for these guys and girl: the packaging is as big as that of a DVD; the artwork makes me think of Sempé’s Le Petit Nicolas drawings; the selection of songs is a well-balanced mix of traditional/popular songs and self-penned material; vocal arrangements are really subtle and the choice of instruments for every song is excellent.

These are the songs that I enjoy: ‘(Morgen, Kinder)’, a song with an American twist whose lyrics are trad. and music by Max and Karl. G.Herring; ‘(Weihnachtliches Idyll)’, a brilliant song with xylophone, fiddles and vocals duties shared by Max and Tabi (the girl); ‘(Sleeping Maggie)’, another song featuring xylophone and fiddle, slower that the Tannahill Weavers version; and ‘(Oktoberregen)’ a fantastic song with guitar, fiddle and keyboards. Other interesting number would be ‘(Schneeflöckchen)’, a self-penned song in the Manu Chao vein.

Nobody Knows are a rara avis on the folk rock scene. However, they are always a refreshing band. Check them out and don’t say that you cannot speak German. Just listen and enjoy.

Waldo Losada, CELTIC FOLK PUNK AND MORE, 12/2013 (PDF)