Customer Reviews

Return of the Mother

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In Summer of '98 I saw lucky enough to see Nina perform in New York City after she had been away for quite a while. During her perfomance that evening it became evident through her new and yet unreleased material (immediately from her opening with the title track from this release) that Nina had finally once again become invigorated to write and perform inspired music rooted in her personal convictions and points of view. Some of those songs appear here and among the others make up her most meaningful and serious (certeinly not indicative that her sense of humor has vanished) album since 'Fearless'. While I wouldn't place this latest effort upon a pedistal as high as I do that, it is her most consistently satisfying since 1983. It is indeed the return of an artist to her individual quality through her spirituality rather than through her style, as many of her past releases (for Polygram specifically) have been. Yes, once again Nina is unique for the things she has to say, not the things she has to wear. Of note is the reappearance of 'Fearless' co-producer Keith Forsey as a songwriter on two of '...Mother's' most notable tracks: the title track and 'Frequenzkontrolle'. Not reappearing, however, this time around are the hit-making aspirations of her Zeus B. Held productions (not to deny 'Street' is resplendant cartoonish appeal); the over-production of 'Revolution Ballroom'; her quirky and playful hatful of vocal tricks that would sometimes inform entire songs rather than enhance them (and here it enhances with substance rather than simple style); and the up-to-the-minute alternative, sing-songy quasi-thrash riffs of 'Freud Auch/Beee Happy'. Appearing in place of all that is Nina, unequivocally: personal inspiration, spirit, authenticity. Subject matters are presented literally and meaningfully, and challenge convention. The mentioned 'Frequenzkontrolle' and 'Handgrenade' may at first seem outlandish, but are eerily relevant. And other than her independantly released collection of spirituals, which I staunchly suggest seeking out, her soul has rarely been more truthfully appearant. For those of us who have been by her side from the beginning she has never been away. Still, this is a fortunate and very welcome 'Return Of The Mother'.

I absolutely LOVE Nina, but have to agree some of her 90's albums were rather uninspired and lacked good production. She has spoken in interviews about her problems with various producers. This is one of her best albums of all time and my current favorite. The songs are:

1.Return of the Mother: excellent, techno sounding, but with incredible operatic vocals, quite emotional and powerful.

2. Der Wind Hat Mir Ein Lied Erzahlt: a gorgeous ballad with smooth, emotive vocals.

3. Schachmatt: A very catchy, addictive trance type of song. Mysterious, dark and evocative.

4. Frequenzkontrolle: My favorite on this disc! A grinding industrial tune that will have you both thinking and shaking your butt! This song is not about aliens,as stated by another reviewer, it is about how Americans think they have a free society but we actually live in "the most controlled society on this planet." It is about control and manipulation of the media and lifestyles. Bravo, Nina!

5. Poetenclub: Very pleasant, laid back, trip hop tune.

6. Hollenzug: Another favorite of mine on the album, it is great, but difficult to describe. Very passionate, mid-tempo,very danceable with a nice guitar riff holding the various elements of the song together. Sort of a folkie/pop/industrial song. A very complex, layered tune that keeps your interest. Do some of the reviewers on here even listen to the CDs? There is only one version of this song on the disc.

7. Schuttel Mich: One of Nina's more cartoonish songs with silly vocals. Fun, cute, silly, danceable.

8. Yes Sir: Another of the more cartoonish songs, very fast, upbeat, swirly and yes, good for dancing.

9. Hand Grenade: A more challenging song that requires repeated listening. At first, it seems very simplistic, but it grows on you. This is one of the more political songs, about Nina's (and many others) belief that it is not AIDS that is fatal, but the drugs they use to treat it that ultimately, kill people.

10. He Shiva Shankara: Yes, this song is a little weaker than some of the others and not in the same musical style. Still, I don't agree with the reviewer who said he would not purchase further CDs if she included songs like this. It is a simple devotional hymn, yet pleasant enough. Nina obviously wanted it on the CD to reflect her spiritual/Hindu beliefs and if her fans care about her as an artist or a person, they need to respect her beliefs. It does not, in my opinion, ruin the album.

If you love Nina, buy this album, it is well worth the import price! If you enjoy artists who are brave, creative, unique and not afraid to tell it like it is, buy this!!!

Well....no joke, this is far and away her greatest artistic statement since her one-of-a-kind, 1982 masterpiece, NUNSEXMONKROCK. Her mid-90's "Revolution Ballroom" was spectacular, but this one embodies more of her individualistic eXtremities! The possessed, channeled howling, growling, and whispered exhortations are back in full force. And Hallelujah for that! On the flip, so are the hyper-romantic, emotionalist operatics, on numbers like the Leander classic "Der Wind Hat Mir Ein Lied Erzahlt". The goa/trance/techno stuff is 1st-rate, particularly the pulsating dirge "Schachmatt", and the kinetic frenzy of electronix on "Yes Sir!" Her stint with seminal Industrial artists KMFDM obviously kicked her grindcore instincts up a notch on battle hymns like "Return Of The Mother" and the mondo-dynamic, ode-to-aliens, "Freakquency Control". You even get a taste of her knack for traditional Hindu spirituals in the form of "He Shiva Shankara". This disc truly reflects all her musical visions most purely and uncompromisingly. As the perfect companion piece, get your hands on the non-album, single track, "Schoen Ist Die Welt". Released the same year, it's the most retro-30's piece she's concocted since "Fisch Im Wasser". Just brilliant.

Like NunSexMonkRock, RETURN OF THE MOTHER is Nina Hagen at her most uninhibited, compelling best. And at her least oppressed.

"...the world worships an original."

Nina Hagen is back whit a more agressive and ghostly album.
Nina's vocal is not as good as it was 15 years ago but she can still sing. Nina Hagen sings about abductions by aliens, HIV and a lot more, she sings about the things other artists never sings about. This album is a little scary the sound is like a graveyard where demons a dancing and people are getting killed, aliens are abducting people and kloning them and then there'll being released whitout a memory, if you would like to explore Nina Hagen's music you shouldn't start whit this album is way to harsh and could for some even hate Nina for doing such a demon scary album, instead try a greatest hits collection.

Nina Hagen's records have always been sporatic. Nunsexmonkrock was wonderful, but there have been releases like her self-titled album that really aren't that good. Nina's recent work hasn't impressed me too much, Freud Euch has some good moments and Revolution Ballroom has its highlights, but everything else seemed like Nina was losing her edge. I just got Return of the Mother today and I fell in love with it. The songs reach out and grab on to you and don't let go. Songs like the title track and "Yes Sir" command you attention while the pulsing rhythm of "Schactmatt" makes you want to dance. The crown jewel of this album is definitely "Der Wind...". The hauntingly beautiful song stays with long after it over. Nina has matured as an artist and Return of the mother proves that. This album has definitely shown me that Nina is back and better than ever.

I didn't think anything could compare to the NUNSEXMONKROCK album but this one does. All the songs are fresh and full of energy. I've been waiting for a very long time for this.

Nina is one of those artists that will turn out more than one masterpiece in her music career. She's a bottomless pit of ingenious creativity, and not afraid to experiment. Each song is compelling...and everytime you listen, you will hear new sounds you didn't hear before. I have not heard all of Nina's works, but this one, Fearless, Nunsexmonkrock, and In Ekstasy have to be her best works.

Very highly recommended

The return of the mother is pure adrenaline, Nina is back and this time to bite you harder!!!
I bought this cd in Germany when it was released back in 2000.
The tracks : Schachmatt, Höllenzug, Return of the Mother and Frequenzkontrolle are in my opinion the best there are !!
Be fearless buy it !!
Don't waste your time!!
Carlos, Sao Paulo, Brazil

After nearly five years of silence, the mother of punk, Nina Hagen, has returned with an explosive album that throws several punches, most of which are rewarding. The first track, "Return of the Mother", is Nina's loud-and-clear announcement of her return to the recording studio, having all the heavy electric guitar and drums that were clearly present on her previous album, "Freud Euch". For the most part, "Return..." is more political and abrasive than her previous works. The real gem of this album, though is the beautiful "Der Wind Hat Mir Ein Lied Erzahlt", a smooth, eastern-tinged lullaby, sounding rather similar to "Geburt" from "Freud Euch". Personally, this album lacks the magic and originality that Nina Hagen has almost always provided on her earlier albums. Her vocal range has toned down a bit, and you don't hear as many facets to her voice as you did nearly 15 years ago. This album if for the true Nina Hagen fan. If you're just starting to delve in to her music, try earlier albums, or better yet a greatest hits collection, before committing to something as agressive and serious as "Return of the Mother".

I totally love this album!!! As another claimant (I'm sure) to the title of Nina's #1 fan, I must say that she did no wrong on this album. It gives a good overview of styles that Nina is capable of. "Frequentzkontroll" is an excellent piece of political commentary and tape use. Now if we didn't have to wait 7-8 years (came out in 2000) to find her albums at inflated prices, everything in NinaWorld would be fine. One can only buy (or not) so many "greatest hits" albums. Now if they would release "Whore" and her "bootleg" cd, I would be an exstatic guy!!! So, Welcome to my home Mother Nina!