Das Kommt Vom Küssen

What should German punk rock sound like? Exactly like this: a sound that combines angular rhythms (more "petit mal seizure" than "funk"), restrainedly shouted and resolutely nonmelodic vocals, and weirdo synths along with the jagged and scratchy guitars. Even better, the songs are all in German -- which is exactly what they should be. For one thing, punk songs sound fantastic in German; for another, when European punk bands try to write English lyrics the results are often downright embarrassing. This "full-length" debut album -- charmingly titled Das Kommt von Küssen (You Get It from Kissing) -- clocks in at about 23 minutes, but you wouldn't want it to last too much longer: the two-minute average track length is perfect for rubbery, unsettled delights like "Das Manifest," "An Einem Sonntag im August," and the title track. Only when they attempt to swing -- on the disappointing "Galeristen" -- does their "Gang of Four meets Liliput at Kraftwerk's house" groove fail to engage fully. Ausgezeichnet! ~ Rick Anderson