Customer Reviews

Showtime

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A transitional album from the downtempo torture of "Belief" to the electro-rock of "Ebbhead", "Showtime" builds on the relentless machine beats of NE's earlier work while the slick production rounds off NE's legendary hard edge. Although it starts with the much promising, aggressive "Getting closer" (one of my favorite NE tracks), this album is a bit tame and laid back. It's truly NE's most accessible and moderate album, but sometimes it becomes rather dull and sounds like Depeche Mode without melody. However, Douglas' best vocal performance ever enlivenes the fiercely minimalistic arrangements and makes the whole affair surprisingly listenable. Other interesting tracks apart from the great "Getting closer" are "My heart", "Lightning man" with its strange oboe refrain, and the single "Fun to be had". "Showtime" is a good introduction to NE's work for the unexperienced listener, but "Ebbhead" offers a greater variety of styles and "That total age" is more original and powerful.

This was the pinnacle for Nitzer Ebb coming at the end of the 80's. They had received underground hype from the past album and this would be their breakout with 3 singles that had reasonable success in the alternative scene... enough success that they were invited to tour with Depeche Mode in fact.

The album leads off with the best & hardest song they ever wrote, the aggro "Getting Closer". It started with bleeps and noises growing into an all-out assault with a super fast tempo, shouted vox and hammering drum machine beats. It contained the anti-conformist chant, "I know what you buy... and I'm not selling!" The next single was the highly original "Lightning Man", maybe the most interesting song they ever did. LM was basically straight EBM at its heart but it left behind the shouting for mostly spoken vocals and it featured a bassoon melody (or maybe it's an oboe) than is very foreign in industrial or any rock music for that matter - very cool effect for sure. "Fun to Be Had" was the 3rd and final single fitting more into the basic EBM category. The funny thing is that there is a 12" that has multiple mixes of all 3 of these songs; rare to find something like this that contains all of the main songs from an album... good luck finding it.

The downside of this recording is that some of the non-singles are filler material. However, the high points make it more than worth owning. Is it essential industrial music? It might be. Strongly recommend Cubanate for all Ebb fans.

This was the first NE release that I felt they were stepping outside themselves and growing as a band and it showed with great songs like "Getting Closer", "Lightning Man" and "Fun to be Had".

This CD may only have three big dance floor hits (listed above) but on a personal level I really enjoyed this release with other great songs like "Rope", "Nobody Knows" and "My Heart".

As usual McCarthy does great on vocals, with his trademark NE sound. For those not familiar with Nitzer Ebb I think this CD might be the most accessible and if you like this one I would highly recommend you also check out "Belief" and "That Total Age".

As a DJ this is another must have...

1990 was the year for these guys. The snarliest rhythms, the most danceable beats, and McCarthy's best vocals. They never reached this peak again, although "Kick It" on their next album is a classic. If Depeche Mode had eaten some protein, drunk beer and gotten into fights, they might have written a CD like "Showtime."

"Getting Closer" sets the tone for the rest of the album. Hard, simple beat with sinister lyrics and a catchy synth line. The songs average out to about four minutes apiece. "Nobody Knows" has a slow, slinky swing beat. "One Man's Burden" has an odd, non-quantized appeal that pops up on a couple of other tracks. "All Over" is filler. Same story with "My Heart," though the 7/8-time beat is interesting.

"Lightning Man" is one of the standouts (along with "Getting Closer" and "Fun To Be Had"). Jazzy melody, Casio beat, half-spoken vocals. Your hips will not remain still. "Rope" is more filler. "Hold On" has an intriguing, layer-by-layer buildup and the coolest beat on the album. "Fun To Be Had" is the longest track and deserves its length. The quietish intro leaves you open for a cool, simple beat and urgent vocals much like "Lightning Man" when the main song kicks in. The oboe melody is a nice counterpoint.

If you're not sure if your club has played this album in the last decade, this might jog your memory: "Baby / come to daddy / Baby / come to daddy / Baby / come to daddy / Daddy's come to baby."

"Showtime" doesn't have as dark or disturbing a collage of sounds as music that came out after NIN's big splash, so it might sound a little dated. On the other hand, it might be refreshing to get back to the more German appeal of industrial dance. "Showtime" was the high point for Nitzer Ebb as "Floodland" was for the Sisters of Mercy. If you have this one, you have the band at its best.

Maybe it's just the nostalgia factor at play, but I love this album!!! There are so few weak tracks and the tracks all work together really well as a whole. I am of course still in love with "Lightning Man", a full fifteen years after seeing Nitzer Ebb do it live and being blown away by that particular song.

If you're a fan of older industrial music, this album must be part of your collection. It's the law.

Nitzer Ebb is still one of the most influential ebm artists to date. Showtime is, without a doubt, Nitzer Ebb at their prime. Pounding beats and mechanical bass lines compliment McCarthy's powerful vocals.

And just a little trivia, Nitzer Ebb opened for Depeche Mode on Mode's World Violation tour in 1990/91, just after Showtime was released - they put on an amazing show! ...both bands :)

In my opinion, the only other N.E. release that tops Showtime, is As-Is, which hosts the song Come Alive, produced and mixed by then Depeche Mode's Alan Wilder (who also collaborated with McCarthy on a couple of Recoil projects) - however and unfortunately, As-Is is only an E.P.

Highly recommended for the ebm-curious and synthpop fans alike.

and they are: 1) getting closer, 2) lightning man, and 3) fun to be had.

nitzer ebb was in the unfortunate spot of being 'industrial' before industrial really took off. in fact, i dare say trent reznor owes a nod or two to nitzer ebb. or nine or ten.

'showtime,' as others have mentioned, really is nitzer ebb's most accessible and commercial album -- and that's not a slight. the success of the three tracks mentioned above were the result of nitzer ebb building on the successes of their earlier singles, 'control, i'm here,' 'hearts and minds,' and the dance floor staple, 'join in the chant.' with 'showtime,' and particularly the three singles (much of the rest of the album really *is* filler) nitzer ebb firmly meshed industrial and dance. it wasn't aggressive other industrial bands, nor was it light enough to be anything *other* than industrial. the opener, 'getting closer' is an all out frontal assault on the senses. the stuttering baseline at the beginning builds the tension before the devouring everything in it's way. it's like a train that starts off slowly, building momentum, before chugging down the tracks. it's a brilliant track, and one that really, really gets the adrenaline pumping.

'lightning man' is an interesting song. if you have a chance to get the 'industry vs. the ebb' mix, do so. it's a more energetic version with one of the most killer synth lines you've ever heard.

'fun to be had,' rounds out the triumverate. it's a deceptive track. it's starts off rather benignly with it's bubbling bass line, and slightly sarcastic vocal (at least in tone). when the song finally does erupt, it's classic nitzer ebb:: adrenaline inducing, pulsating, mesmorizing.

it's amazing nitzer ebb didn't absolutely RULE the dance floors in the late 80s. they really should have. even an opening slot for depeche mode on the violator didn't crack them into the mainstream. fortunately, we still have their music to listen to. even if you're not a 'fan' of the 'industrial' music, you'll most likely find 'showtime' irresistable.

"Lightning Man" is arguably an impressive tune. Because of this song, however, I usually hesitate to play this album. No need to say it's not bad. I think Nitzer Ebb were trying to reconstruct classical Electronic Body Music, which was apparently verging on the end of its span. While succeeding in making some good tunes, NE failed to create a new frontier for EBM, IMO. All NE had revealed with this tune is the fact that Industrial and Jazz (I mean authentic Jazz, not generic Funk) are incompatible with each other. Meanwhile, Ministry showed that Industrial and Thrash Metal are compatible (at least to some people). Later, some acts have shown that Industrial and Techno are also compatible (to some people). Since I like both Industrial and Jazz, I sometimes think about its consequences. After all, a sincere but unsuccessful experiment worth listening to.

Very hard. Very Loud...and at certain times in your life / mood this is necessary!

This was a CD replacement for my cassette. I also have the albums prior to this one ("That Total Age" & "Belief"). "That Total Age" was a very good industrial album, upbeat strong tracks throughout. "Belief" was a bit of a disappointment. The core sound was still there, but something was missing. I'm not one for slow tracks, & this album had more than its fair share. "Showtime" rebounds to Nitzer Ebb of old. The 1st track, "Getting Closer," sets the pace. if you are a fan of industrial / industrial dance, I recommend "Showtime."