Kaizers Orchestra: Maskineri [88697272572]

Artist: Kaizers Orchestra
Title: Maskineri
Label: Sony BMG Norge
Release Date: 18-02-2008


Tracklist

01: Moment
02: Apokalyps meg (apocalypse me)
03: Den andre er meg (the other is me)
04: Bastard sønn (bastard son)
05: Maskineri (machinery)
06: Toxic blod (toxic blood)
07: 9 mm
08: Volvo i Mexico
09: Enden av november (end of november)
10: Med en gong eg når bånn
11: Kaizers 115. drøm (Kaizers 115th dream)
12: Ond sirkel (vicious circle)
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This is the fourth studio album from Kaizers Orchestra, and as they've gotten older, their album releases have become less frequent; their second album was released a year after their first, which meant that the sound was slightly different, but not by much. In contrast, their third album Maestro was initially received with mixed feelings by some fans because of the production and marked difference in the sound from their previous two albums.

Maskineri is currently experiencing even more of that feeling from the fans. The amount of production (with mixing by Mark Howard in LA, who worked with REM and Tom Waits) is one of the things that makes this album sound so much different, as well as an obvious difference in instrumentation (a distinct lack of pumporgan -- one of their trademarks -- and less presence of oilbarrels overall). Janove had stated that they wanted to prove in this album that they could be a great studio band, since they are already known for being an awesome live band. I suppose if that is what they are aspiring to, then they achieved it. It doesn't sound bad, but does it sound like Kaizers?

Some people are saying it doesn't, others say they hear the old Kaizers in there, but it's hiding/buried/subdued. That's a fair statement, but probably the final judgement should come when the live versions of these songs are heard. The addition of Marimba to the songs is welcome, and it isn't as if they have completely abandoned their 'gypsy sound.' They still use gypsy rhythms and scales (especially in songs like Bastard Soenn and Ond Sirkel), but the songs overall seem more guitar-driven. I wish that I could hear some more of the double bass sound, or more from the Marimba when it is employed.
My breakdown of the songs:

Spoiler:

10/10 Bastard Sonn:
Really solid, "Kaizery" song, albeit with more production than we're used to. My personal favorite.
10/10 Apocalyps Meg:
Also great, more guitar-driven than anything else. Oddly enough, there's something about it that reminds me of Metallica? I don't know.
10/10 Enden av november:
the first single, and also a fairly 'traditional' Kaizers song.
9/10 Maskineri:
Probably the best example of 'new Kaizers' sound, actually quite catchy, but has the obvious "rap" influence that Janove mentioned in an interview.
9/10 Toxic Blod:
one of the many songs on this album written by Geir Zahl, I happen to like it a lot. The songs he wrote all have a strong gypsy/oriental groove to them.
8/10 Ond Sirkel:
The most Old-Kaizer sounding song on the album. Has a brief moment of Nirvana (In Bloom) reference...it's the only song with Pumporgan.
8.5/10 Den andre er meg:
Ballad, featuring Terje's wife on guest vocals. I would rank it with the best of Kaizer ballads.
8/10 Volvo i Mexico:
Zahl's other contribution, generally disliked by a lot of the Norwegian fans. I'll agree that it's a bit repetitive, but it's still a groovy song.
8/10 Kaizers 115 drom:
Similar to old Kaizers, written by Zahl.
3/10 Med en gnag eg nar bann:
Definitely a ballad...not my favorite, but I know that it is generally well received. It might be something I have to let grow on me.
5/10 Moment:
the biggest shock to most fans, as Kaizers had played it live at several concerts on the Maestro tour. By the time it reached the album, it had evolved into something quite different (and changed names, "du og dine er even" was the original title). It has such a variety of sounds in it that people generally find it jarring to listen to.
2/10 9mm:
My least favorite, but the next single. I can tell why it will be a single, because it is definitely the most "radio-friendly" song on the album, and disturbingly poppy from my POV. This is another song that was played live on the Maestro tour.

Tally: 90.5/120, 75% (C)