Urlaub In Polen
Liquid
The Cologne duo's brilliant fourth album. The band with the nice name of Urlaub in Polen (Vacation in Poland) has consisted of George Brenner (also a member of Ken) and Jan Philipp Janzen (Von Spar) since 1999 - two talented musicians with DIY consciousness as well as brilliant songs; a post-whatever band that makes the stage vibrate like Spaceman 3 once did. Meanwhile, in the studio they dont just take advantage of all the technical possibilities, they also make their ideas comply to them. Drummer Janzen reminds one of some of the old krautrock rhythm sections while Brenner's vocals show us what Mark Knopfler would have sounded like in a good band. Even those who are familiar with the previous Urlaub in Poland albums will be surprised by "Liquid", the duos fourth work. Because it is all inclusive of the things one expects from Urlaub in Polen: vocoder vocals, bits of jazz, adventure fanfare, powerpop synthesizers, powerful techno (amplified!) and rock hymns. And "Defender of the Crown" is even a real hit. Its as if Phil Spector produced Blind Idiot God. No kidding!