The Notwist

The Notwist's new album "The Devil, You + Me" was released in Europe back in May. It became available in the States in June on Domino. It caught my attention by jumping into the CMJ charts this week at number 14. After reading about the different musical directions this band has taken it's interesting (especially as someone new to the band) to go back and listen to a few tracks off their first punk/metal album from 1990. The band appears to have found a spot on the indie scene and is headed for success. SPIN's review gave the band 4.5 out 5 stars. The review aptly describes the sound as "atmospheric melancholy."






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Wikiepedia:

The Notwist (pronounced /ˈnoʊˌtwɪst/[1]) are a German indie rock band[2]. Formed in 1989, the band moved through several musical incarnations despite maintaining a relatively stable lineup. While their early records moved through heavy metal/metal into dark indie rock, their recent efforts for which they've received the most attention have been very strongly influenced by the electronica scene, along with the other groups on the record label Morr Music.

Members

Markus Acher - guitar, vocals
Michael Acher - bass
Andi Haberl - drums
Martin Gretschmann (aka Console) - programming

History

The two Achers and Messerschmid formed the group in 1989 in Weilheim, near Munich. In 1990 they recorded their self-titled debut, a grunge-metal oriented LP. 1992 saw the release of Nook, which has an indie rock sound, while their 1995 album 12 contains their first flirtation with electronics. Martin Gretschmann joined the group in 1997. Shrink, released in 1998, is a jazz-electro-rock album which in some ways anticipates Radiohead's Amnesiac. The album Neon Golden (released in 2002) put them on the map for American listeners, with its heartfelt sentiment and catchy tunes.[citation needed]

The group has been remixed by Four Tet, Caribou, Console, Loopspool, and others. Singer Markus Acher collaborated with anticon. rapper/producer Alias on the song "Unseen Sights," an effort that shows a surprising musical breadth for both artists.

The Notwist recently formed a group with Themselves named 13 & God, whose eponymous debut was released in 2005. Markus Acher, in addition to his work with The Notwist and 13 & God, also works with the band Lali Puna, while Mecki Messerschmidt now also plays drums for the recently reformed Schweisser. Michael Acher composes and programs for Ms. John Soda.

The group has been working on the followup to Neon Golden over the last two years, and the release details were revealed on March 5. The new album is entitled The Devil, You + Me and was released in Europe in May, 2008. On June 17, 2008 the album was released in North America on Domino Records. A free mp3 is up for download on the City Slang website and at the album's official site.

The Notwist