Customer Reviews

Evig Pintr

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

 

 

Simply put, KO are one of the most unique bands on the scene today -- anywhere, not just Norway.

I'm from the US, and as such I speak not a lick of Norwegian (although I can occasionally understand a few words here and there) but that does not, for me, hinder the appreciation of Kaizers Orchestra. Using oil drums, guitars, pump organs and even an ashtray, these guys produce some of the craziest music that my mom has referred to as 'demented circus music.' Janove Ottesen has a great voice to round out their music, with a nice, cute little lilt to it.
They have ballads ("Min Kvite Russer") and pseudo-polka-dance ("Veterans Klage") and even some straight rock ("Container"). Also, the liner notes come with complete English translations, so you know what the heck they're singing about; usually that consists of war/warfare, Russians/resistance, death/going to hell, and drinking. Another thing KO are rather known for are their little mini-stories and characters in many songs, in which the entire song revolves around that small plot.

Kaizers just signed an international record deal with Universal, so I'm looking forward to another release of theirs. Evig Pint (eternal(ly) torment(ed)) is the second KO release: the first, Ompa til You Die, is not available on Amazon right now. Actually, last time I had checked, you couldn't get this disc from Amazon either. But now you can -- and you should. You won't regret it.

Fancy the sound of empty oilbarrels, wheelrims and a Kaizer pump organ? Fancy gypsy-balkan rock paired with German cabaret, and with a little more than a dash of Tom Waits? Kaizers it is! It is nowhere near anything you've heard before, trust me. They're Norwegian, and their lyrics are too, but never mind. Comprehension is not a prerequisite for the contemplation of the twisted world of Kaizers Orchestra, you'll be absorbed into it either you want to or not. They're already big in Europe where, quite frankly, a minority of the population speaks Norwegian. Besides, translation of the lyrics are conveniently enclosed with international releases, as far as I know.

As for the former record, Ompa til du dør (Ompa till you Die), it should be readily available from Amazon UK. It is at least as good as Evig pint, in fact I hold it the better one. Slightly more cheerful, perhaps, yet still not light on the feet this one either. One of the major sources of inspiration appears to have been The Black Rider by William Burroughs/Tom Waits, getting the picture?

I love Kaizers Orchestra. They put on quite possibly the best live act in the world. But this album in no way compares to the greatness that was "Oompa til du Dor." That album was masteful, one of the best of all time. This time around, they sound a bit more polished, and lyrically the act gets old. Not that this isn't great, but if your getting into these guys, get there first record. It will change the way you think about music.

I love Kaizers orchestra! i first heard it on albino black sheep in a cartoon and fell in love with it. i especially love kontroll pa kontinentet and bak et halleluja.

GENRE: pop
STYLE: rock, folk, alternative, Scandinavia, touch of blues
SOUND: rough, full, fierce
INSTRUMENTS: vocal, guitars, piano, pumporgan, mandolin, bass, drums, 'rough' percussion, violin, sax etc.
INSTRUMENTALISTS: sound of 'jazzguitar' is great
TECHNICAL SKILLS: great band, tight, ability to play good solo's
SINGING: catchy refrains, intens
LYRICS: a little dark, not in English
ORIGINALITY IN PERIOD OF MAKING: very original
COMPARE TO: Tom Waits, rough Scandinavian landscape, sounds of the harbor
BALLS: big ones
STRIKING: overall sound, intensity, originality, skills
WEAKNESSES: not found yet
AND...: You think there's not much going on in pop-music but smooth-jazz and too slow singsong. Try Kaizers Orchestra and ompa til du d'r!

FJB/O!-music 2006