Rammstein: Mutter : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

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For lots of english speakers, there may be no scarier sound than the German language, especially when it's spit out by a hulking monster-metal dude like Rammstein singer Till Lindemann. Naturally, American teens, especially those of the I-hate-my-mommy variety, have clutched this howling steel-and-strings Deutsch outfit to their hearts as a surefire way to spook their parental units. That's only one of the reasons that Rammstein's second major U.S. release, Mutter ("Mother"), is both funny-funny and funny-creepy. Lindemann introduces the record's opening track, "Mein Herz Brennt," with a morbid wink and the Grimm's fairy-tale-damaged lyric, "My dear children, take good care/I'm the voice from the pillow/I brought you something/I've torn it out of my breast." But the title track - a swirl of Wagnerian strings and anthemic, atomizing guitar - is somehow both heart-wrenching and skull-crushing. As the guitars slam and the vaguely Middle Eastern synths soar, Lindemann shifts between sorrowful crooning and a seething howl, singing, "Don't have a navel on my belly/Mother, Mother!" Sure, it's an ironic play on metalhead machismo, and, of course, it's pretty hilarious to hear a big, strong Teutonic bruiser bellowing for Mama, but it's also something much better: Rammstein evoke a self-loathing and wretchedness that Fred Durst only mimes. The band supersizes the pathos that lurks in the heart of metal music and seizes on a theme: the love that burns, the hate that heals. It's the sort of touchy-feely stuff that most hard bands are afraid to confront - but Rammstein revel in it, and that's why Mutter is so powerful. (RS 867 - April 26, 2001)

PAT BLASHILL

(Posted: Apr 2, 2001)

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5of 5 Stars

Alright, I just got this album two days ago and still haven't stopped listening to it. I'm from Iowa and my German is terrible but I looked up the lyrics and they're glorious. These guys have a very fun sense of humor. The song Zwitter(hermaphrodite) which is my favorite always brings a smile everytime I listen. Rein Raus is also fun,the first line is awesome "i am the rider you are the horse".Very nice!! Also has the classics Sonne,Feuer Frei!!,Ich Will,links 2,3,4, and mein herz brennt are all very sweet. Overall this is my favorite album from them. 5 OF 5!!!!

Apr 11, 2008 19:48:14

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