Customer Reviews

Boots

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Before the inception of the new KMFDM album and a return to their discarded moniker for Attak's release, KMFDM showcased their Metropolis debut with this, a 4 song single entitled Boots. On it is the returning cast of characters that the band has slimmed down to, with Skold, Sascha, Lucia, providing songs that aren't exactly groundbreaking but that are a good return to form. Its an odd single, too, because neither of the songs are released on the full length portion of angst provided by the band. This was more like an announcement that hailed the audience and announced that they were back and that they had Brute in tow once more.

When I first picked up the release, I thought it was actually entertaining to hear KMFDM do their coverage of These Boots Are Made For Walkin' in a fashion all their own. With three tunes that shift from a heavy anthem, a synthesized playground of sound, and something in-between the two, they make the song something that is their own, much in the same right that Madonna's Justify my Love and U2's Mysterious Ways were found in their capable hands in some past life. Within them I found two I like, one I didn't really care for, but that were at least worth a listen. Also included on the album is something of a throwback that seems to have sounds of an older KMFDM entwined in Sasha's approach that he doesn't seem to want to give up, exclaiming that the band is "Back in the USSA."

For fans of KMFDM wanting more, this is a release that is entertaining. It is also new material that isn't available in any other forum, and that makes it worth picking up. For people that are simply wanting to experience, though, I would never recommend a single as some form of seeking out new material. This line-up has been in effect through the last few releases the band has in tow, so checking out MDFMK's self-titled release or Attack would be better suited to new ears. Personally, I like it, but singles, well, they are an acquired taste.

After KMFDM broke up, Sascha Konietzko and Tim Skold formed MDFMK with Lucia Cifarelli. In 2002, Sascha decided it was time to call the group KMFDM again, despite the fact that key members En Esch and Guenter Shulz had not returned to the band. Before releasing the album Attak, they decided to release this cover of Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots are Made for Walking", which is the meat of this single. There are also 2 remixes of the song, and another cover with new lyrics.

"Boots" is the first track on the disc. I find it humorous that they decided to cover it, in a way that's similar to their cover of Madonna's Material Girl. Unlike that song, though, this one turned out fairly well. It doesn't stray much from the original, but it's much heavier. Sascha sings on the vocals and chorus, with Lucia doing back up on the chorus. This is probably the highlight of the disc, and I think it's better than most of Attak(not that it's a bad album).

Next is the Bombs remix of Boots. This is a more electronic take with lead vocals done by Dorona Alberti, possibly KMFDM's best female vocalist. Sascha backs her on the chorus. This is probably as good as the normal version.

There is also another remix of Boots entitled Candy. While the track itself isn't bad, it barely resembles the original and doesn't really add anything that interesting. I usually turn off the CD when it gets to this song.

To finish things off is a reworking of Atari Teenage Riot's "Delete Yourself" called "Back in the USSA". I was a bit disappointed in this track for several reasons. First, judging from the title I figured this was going to be a cover of the Beatle's "Back in the USSR", and it has nothing to do with that song, which is a shame. That could've had great potential. The lyrics are rather poor and not as funny as they should have been, and its almost identical to the original musically. Stick with ATR version.

So in short, you get two good tracks and two that you'll probably skip. If you're a fan of the group, it's worth buying, and it's relatively easy to find and inexpenisve, too. These songs are also available as high quality MP3s from the KMFDM store at KMFDM.com, so you may want to just buy the first two songs if you're not a completist.

In June, I went to my first KMFDM concert, and there I heard on of the most inventive covers in existence. Of course when I got home I had to go out and buy the single. This cover is daring and really easy to get into. It takes an already great song, and takes it to the next level while maintaining that signature bass line that we all love from Nancy Sinatra's classic. KMFDM gives an old favorite a modern twist, but still manages to give the classic justice. The remixes are an interesting addition, but verge on the annoying. Back in the USSA is a wonderful tribute to the Beatles' in typical KMFDM fashion. Major applause to Sascha.

To be honest, when I first listened to BOOTS, I started laughing. It was only because it seemed random that KMFDM would do a cover of Nancy Sinatra and their new version is just so different. I can no longer picture a little girl in a skirt prancing around in boots. Definitely a single worth checking out. The first track is the cover by KMFDM, the second track is a remix by KMFDM, the third track is a remix by some other guy (Don't remember and honestly don't care), and fourth track is a new song by KMFDM. The first two tracks are great new versions of "These Boots Are Mad For Walkin'," but the second remix was too redundant and boring. Finally, the new song "Back In The USSA" I was hoping it'd be a somewhat cover of The Beatles "Back In The USSR" but this is an original song by KMFDM, which is quite good. Expectations for the new album are looking good and I think after MDFMK, Sascha and Tim make a good team and the rest of the collaborators on KMFDM are doing great too.

P.S. Isn't it funny how some people hate musicians, yet they know their whole life story and can't stop talking about them? (Review: artsy from la)

Look, I don't know what that last guy was on that pointlessly bashed the newest formation of the group, but I can assure you that he was not the normal critic.

KMFDM is a very strong band with deep roots in the industrial scene. Almost any industrial band you can find will admit to spinning at least one KMFDM album while working on their newest release. I've done it, and I'm sure that you have too.

"Boots" is a very powerful coveur, not just another attempt to get rich quickly like such atrocities as the million bands that have coveured Dead or Alive, or even Marilyn Manson's version of "Tainted Love", but more of a hymn of rebirth. Not too many bands now will admit to doing a song by someone like Nancy Sinatra. This song is horridly addicting and easily dancable with its pounding basslines and rolling drumbeat.

Tim Skold [Shotgun Messiah, MDFMK, Ohgr] has been a great addition to Sasha's little circus sideshow of freaks... the downside is that he has lost a long time companion in En Esch. The old sound of KMFDM isn't dead, but it's been more or less reinvented. If you still want to hear such things, I'd advise that you test out some Slick Idiot. It's KMFDM with more of a drum and bass feel to it, with En Esch on vocals.

Gotta love KMFDM's twisted sense of humor. What other industrial band would think of covering the Nancy Sinatra classic "These Boots Are Made For Walking"? At the time, I got this single because it wasn't going to be included with the band's album "ATTAK". Being the diehard KMFDM fan that I am, I just had to get it. I wasn't so hot for the original song "Back in the USSA". The song really didn't do much for me. It wasn't bad, all I'm saying that the song wasn't one of the band's best songs that they have ever done. As for their version of the Nancy Sinatra song, I absolutely loved. They managed to turn a polished pop song into a killer industrial song. The original mix KMFDM did was aggressive yet catchy. The remixes were excellent. Dorona Alberti's vocals were excellent as usual. For new fans of KMFDM, Dorona Alberti sang on KMFDM's earlier albums (most notably "Nihil" and "Money"). I never thought about it but Dorona's vocals reminded me of the band's current vocalist Lucia Cifarelli. I loved both remixes however I think the candy remix is slightly better partly due to Raymond Watts' vocals. Gotta love that man's ferocious growl. Overall great single.

I don't know how Sasha does it. He looses people. He gets new people. His music always rocks. I've been very excited about KMFDM since Tim Skold came aboard. This release hopefully is a glimpse of the great things to come. The new female vocalist is just as sexy, so don't blow your top.

although the gunter-schultz-style guitars are still missing, KMFDM is back. MDFMK, although pretty good, pales in comparsion to old KMFDM stuff, and the new KMFDM gives me new hope in the future of industrial music. Back In The USSA is a really energetic, (surprisingly) up-beat track with punk-style guitar riffs, and their cover of Boots is pretty damn cool, especially the 1st remix. i can't wait for ATTAK.

The BOOTS single contains an awesome cover and two remixes of "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'," as well as a song called "Back In The U.S.S.A." that was briefly sampled at the beginning of ATTAK. Worth buying for any KMFDM fan.

An awsome version of this song, and Back in the USSA is another great original hit.