The Notwist are one of those strange cases where I practically forget about a band for a long period of time, but then randomly hear again one day and think to myself, "how did I forget about these guys and why don't I already own all their albums?"
Download: The Notwist - "Boneless"
In my defense, The Notwist aren't exactly the most prolific and in-your-face band in the world, releasing albums every 3 to 5 years or so with minimal fanfare. In fact, if it hadn't have been for this live tour, I wouldn't have even realized they had a new album out this year. It turns out that this summer they finally followed up 2002's Neon Golden with a new effort titled The Devil, You + Me.
Last Friday's performance at the Logan Square Auditorium was my first time seeing The Notwist, and watching them live reminded me of all the great things I love about this band...but in the end it kind of reminded me of why I tend to forget them as well. On the positive side, they've got great rhythm and have a knack for dropping these subtle grooves that sneak up on you until you find yourself slowly swaying to the beat by the middle of the song. And in grand German tradition, they're also great at adding intricate electronic elements that enhance the texture of their music. Yet, even after really enjoying their show and thinking again at the time, "how did I forget about these guys??" (especially after they cranked out a great rendition of "Pilot" from Neon Golden) I still didn't find myself wanting to rush out to the record store this weekend to pick up their new record. Perhaps there's only so much room for music fandom in one's life, and The Notwist will just always be a band that I admire, rather than wholeheartedly adore.
Click here for Jeremy's photoset with pics from opener Dosh
That basically sums up my justification for not really being interested in going to this show. I saw them a year after Neon Golden came out at Metro and was left pretty underwhelmed. I was expecting something more I suppose.
I completely agree with you on the general idea of The Notwist though. I had heard mutterings a while back of anew album but didn't really make any effor to pick it up on the basis that Neon Golden is one of those albums that when a song pops up on shuffle I'm pleased to hear it but wouldn't really THINK to go for it.
Would've loved to have heard Pilot, One with the Freaks and Pick up the Phone though. That would've done it for me.
Posted by: Aubrey | 10/20/2008 at 11:03 AM