Customer Reviews

Es Ist Juli

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My brother picked this up as a gift for me when he was in Vienna this winter. It was pretty much a blind buy -- though he did ask specifically for an album that "hip" Austrian twenty-somethings listen to these days. Since I haven't found a single English-language review of this album yet, I thought I'd take a chance and write what just may be the first.

First off, I have to admit that I don't know much about German rock right now. The German and Austrian reviews, which are largely positive, keep comparing Juli to the other two big-name German-language bands, Rosenstolz and Silbermond -- neither of which I've heard. They do sound a bit like two Scandinavian bands I know: Eskobar and Kent. So if you know and like any of those four bands, I assume that you'll like and know what to expect from Juli.

This quintet's lineup: female vocalist, two guitars, bass, and drums. Like a lot of debut albums, this one is pretty eclectic and variable in sound and quality. For my money, Juli are at their best when they sound like a weird mix of the minor-key pop of "No Need to Argue"-era Cranberries and the polite guitar/rude guitar rock of "Bends"-era Radiohead, as in Warum (track 1), Geile Zeit (3), Perfekte Welle (6), and Ich Verschwinde (11). I find they're less successful when they copy Dave Matthews (Regen und Meer, track 7) or No Doubt (Kurz vor der Sonne, track 10).

On the whole, this is a very promising debut. And it's a shame that bands like this (neither American nor British) have such a hard time reaching the wider audiences they deserve. As far as I'm concerned, this album's greatest value is that it offers a slightly different take on rock/pop than Americans like myself are exposed to. I can't recommend it for the price Amazon's offering it on import, but I highly recommend that Americans check it out if they're traveling in Europe any time soon.

Even if I, as a German, have problems to really value German bands,
this group is acceptable. I just want to say... Simple lyrics?
Who gives a damn. English pop lyrics are always simple, it is actually hard to write good German lyrics that are simple and catchy. I only want pledge out my veto that this sounds like Avril Lavigne or No Doubt on German, DEFINITELY NOT... the guitar work is way better, and the whole sound of the vocalist, is a lot deeper and more indie than Avril Lavigne... first of all German bands cannot be compared to any native bands, because mostly the affection the words is missing, as well as the whole passion.

But this group manages somehow to make an acceptable bridge.
SO IF YOU NEED(!) to really listen a German band (shame on you enough): check this out. The lyrics are neat and not simple or what.

"Geile Zeit" is one of the best German songs since Herbert Grönemeyer.

This is a great CD especially if you are learning German and like music. It's easy to understand what they are saying, and It sounds a lot like Avril Lavigne in German

Just to start off. I know absolutely no German whatsoever. Even so, I asked a friend of mine who speaks about level 3 German to burn me a CD buy a good band that spoke german and had a catchy style. She came back and handed me a copy of this CD. At first I didnt know what to expect, but when I listened to it I was ultimately surprised by the Cd. While I can't understand what the lyrics are, the sound is very melodic and catchy, and after asking my friend to translate alittle, I found the lyrics to be pretty good. There are very few CDs in which I enjoy every song on the Album, but I did on Es Ist Juli. Overall this was an awesome Cd. I would recommend it to anyone who likes the pop rock style and appreciates foreign languages.

I was absolutly blown away by this CD...Understand the lyrics? Who cares, the music in combination of the rhythmic sounding lyrics gives plenty of enjoyment for the listener to grab onto... If only American pop bands were this good.. I totally recommend this CD... The first time I listened to it, I didn't experience a single song that I felt I could skip... This CD has it all... If there are any old Nena fans out there...this will resurge your desire to learn German...

It has a couple of really good tracks. The tracks have a pop rock feel to them and her voice is nice. Even though I can't understand what she is saying, I enjoyed it.

I could help but notice that Tranenschwer (track 5) reminded me of the song Autobiography.

I just got back from a vacation to Germany where they were playing Juli's single "Perfekta Welle" ALL THE TIME. Like a lot of the people commenting, I also know very little of the German language. However, that doesn't stop me from falling in love with the catchy hooks and the lead singer's wonderful voice. I went out to a CD store while there and bought this CD immediately (waiting til I got home would mean more money, money, money). I haven't had a lot of time to listen to it since being home, but from what I've heard so far, it is worth the buy!!!

This album has at least half a dozen songs that are so good, you catch yourself humming them in the kitchen, or in the shower. My daughter probably hates the CD, because you can't listen to it and not sing along. The melodies simply fly! The songs have character and dimension, and evade simple formulas. For example, Geile Zeit (A Cool Time) teases your ears at the beginning, before launching into the soaring chorus. To my ears, the vocals are very reminiscent of the Cranberries, though there is a distinct Nena airiness. My wife and I have listened to almost nothing else, for the past month, it's that good.

I love this album. As a student of German I like the vocals/lyrics even if at some points they are simple. Simple music at times is better than something you have to think to enjoy. Solid vocals, it reminds me of Evanesence, Avril Lavigne, and No Doubt in a way. Someone said Cranberries for the music and i can see that. Silbermond and ROsenstolz are also good. They aren't nearly as hard as Rammstaien but nice. :)

I think the 36$ was worth it.