Customer Reviews

Nunsexmonkrock

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard Nina Hagen, way back in 1982 when I was in high school. I was browsing the stacks at my local music store, when I came across her 10-inch vinyl EP of White Punks On Dope. The cover was acid green with Nina Hagen's photo plastered across the front like a punk-rock mug shot! Of course I couldn't resist buying it: I knew the single White Punks was a remake of the Tubes' hit song. Of course Nina's version was rather different to say the least, but like so many people at that time, I thought it sounded terrific. The louder the sound, the better!

Then, maybe a year later, NUNSEXMONKROCK, hit the American shores and I was completely blown away by all of it. Even though I had many punk/New Wave albums in my collection, this was really, really different. It wasn't just punk, New Wave or pre-Goth. Even now after some 20 years, this album still sounds SO UNUSUAL and creative. When she wrote it, many of NSMR's songs had heavy political/social overtones and messages for its era. That Hagen then hailed from Communist East Germany informed her talent for satire that's heard all over this album. Anti-World which opens this cauldron of noise deals with religion vs. science. Smack Jack addresses heroin addiction which plagued both East and West Berlin through much of the 70s and 80s. On the songs Cosmo Shiva, UFO and Future Is Now, Nina sings of personal spiritual transformation. Born in Xixax decries the nuclear age.

No other artist or singer, except Diamanda Galas, has done so much to re-write the boundaries of what we know as "Music."
Though her later albums continued to show her incredible voice and songwriting talents, she's never surpassed the GENIUS that is NUNSEXMONKROCK!!

The 4 songs from the White Punks On Dope EP follow NSMR on this CD. They don't have the same feel, and don't really fit the mood of NSMR. It's better to listen to them as a separate piece and not as part of NSMR.

FUTURE (of music) IS NOW!!

I am a huge Nina Hagen fan. I still follow her music and I am going to a concert she is doing here in Portland on Jan. 16. I have to agree with other reviewers that this is one of her most creative albums. Every song is brilliant in its own way, and each has a theme, such as religion in "AntiWorld", heroin addiction in "Smack Jack" and celebrating her daughter's birth in "Cosma Shiva" (complete with sounds of baby cooing). One of my very favorite songs on the album is "Born in Xixax", which I think(?) is about Eastern Germany. Nina is not for the faint of heart and will appeal to people who are artistic, unique and anyone who enjoys thinking outside of the box. That said, I do not think this is necessarily her "best" album or that her later period music is not good. Her album after this, "In Ekstasy", is also excellent fun, with more of a pop metal feel to it. I still don't have the CD version, though, as it's hard to find and priced at over $100. I would also highly recommend "Freud Euch" and "Return of the Mother". Her most recent release, "Big Band Explosion", is also excellent, and a huge departure for her, as it is covers of big band standards. If you appreciate unique, rebellious people and interesting voices and music, you'll love Nina.

"Nunsexmonkrock" is an essential part of my music collection. This c.d. is a timeless masterpiece that I've never gotten tired of listening to. When I first heard Nunsexmonkrock, I think I almost threw it out the car window. But I gave it a few more listens, and it quickly grew on me. This c.d. paints a distinct musical landscape that is unlike anything else I've ever heard. Nina's voice and lyrical imagery are like an exotic outer-space trip through the more shadowy places in my imagination. The whole c.d. from beginning to end, is like a religious experience. If you like Nina, check out Yma Sumac.

This is THE Nina Hagen recording that lays waste all of her other recordings to date.It is an incredible EXPLOSION of creativity on her part that will always leave one breathless. Everytime I listen to it I hear something that I had previously missed in her "prophecies" and "revelations".It is difficult to describe what this work of art was and STILL is after the 20 YEARS that have passed since it's original release. I am still astounded and entranced by it's absolute frankness,brutality,and beauty.Ms.Hagen holds NOTHING back when she spews forth her wisdom on diverse topics, such as: SCIENCE versus RELIGION (Antiworld),drug addiction(Smack Jack),the joys and elation achieved through MASTURBATION (Dreadlove),impending Nuclear doom (Born in Xixax),and Divine revelation,conception,and manifestation (Dr.Art,Cosma Shiva,and UFO.)I will not comment on the "extra tracks" since they were not part of this work of art at it's original release(These tracks were actually recorded previous to Nunsexmonkrock as the first release in America of 4 songs taken and edited from her 2 previous albums released in Germany). Nina Hagen is an incredible artist, very much maligned and misunderstood by popular media and critics because she is UNIQUE,CREATIVE,and most importantly UNAFRAID to speak and to RECORD her MIND.The original release of this recording came with a red WARNING label which read:"Nina Hagen is not for weak stomachs,hearts or minds.When you hear her you will know who she is!"....and the incredible beauty of it is that SHE is YOU!!!!Take a listen ,if you DARE.

Length:: 1:52 Mins

If you are discovering Nina Hagen dont start with this one. Go with the more easy to digest album like Revolution Ballroom or even the first two totally German album from 78 and 79.
Go buy a few magazines and visit Nina's site.
Once youve understand a bit where she comes from and who she is than you can attack this one progressively.
It is not a commercial record. It is a gutsy record because, back in 81 Nina was an unknown artist in America, this was her first english record.
She found the right way to attract attention. Each of these songs have a special meaning, a special vision sometimes discribed in a rough manner. Like Smack Jack, the story of a junkie. Nina would use many differents voices in each songs to make some astounding effects, a reference to other artists even as we speak.
Smack Jack is my favorite because of the message and the way she delivers it, after that there is more rock n roll songs like dread love, rearrange prior to recording because the original idea was suppose to be softer.
Antiworld is another brillant message delivered with a powerful voice...this one is simply irresistable.
Born in Xixax is another song with an interesting way of dellivering a personnal message..that, i will let you try to understand...if you can !
As a conclusion if you really want to know Nina you need to buy this one...but do it after a much easier record !!
I consider this one in the top 10 best progressive record of all time.

This is one of my go to cd's. I am the first to admit it takes multiple listens before you like it but once you do, it is like crack (at least what I hear crack is like) once you are hooked you can't stop.

It is a great cd. Not only that, if you are an audiophile, "Born in XIXXAX" is, to this day, considered one of the best produced songs period. Add to that, this CD version is the reference - on a high $ system you can make out parts of the song that are simply 3-dimensional. On a regular, consumer, system it sounds amazing - the sign of a well produced CD.

None of this is meant to take away from the brilliance of the album, it is great on it's on merit.

This album by Miss Hagen is one of her earlier releases right before she went mainstream (for her) with Fearless and Ekstacy. This album has a more raw punk feel to it and not as electronic dance as her follow up albums....I would say it is her transition album...from early punk to 80s new wave dance...this one is the in between sound....i recomend it highly as it has a punk/new wave sound but you can hear the begginings of a new sound starting to bubble up from her warped, talented, brain!!! Love her and love this album!

In 1983, Born in XIXAX was the rawest most outrageous yet highly danceable tune in the L.A. New Wave/Punk club scene. And it still rocks like nothing else. Nina Hagen is a sublime goddess of the experimental. Not all of the music on the CD is as accessible as XIXAX, but it's highly educational and mind expanding. Go for it!

One cannot believe the range of vocals, textures, and other-wordly sounds on this religious/metaphysically-inclined album. The production quality is first-rate. Show-stoppers include Cosmic Shiva and Antiworld. Nina Hagen is an acquired taste. If you like intelligent new wave/punk (like Toyah, Lene Lovich) then you'll like Nina.