Who kennen- the Toco's mainly from the 90s and appreciate having, will have to get used to this album first after repeated listening (please do not give up too early!). Because the Toco's have now changed, bwz. obviously undergone some sound experiments.
The result is still more than audible. It is versatile, a mix of old Toco's, new ways and adapt to newer sound trends. Nevertheless, unique!
The album is therefore a mixture of Toco's pure, with newer influences, also entirely of Ramstein, Xavier Naidoo and of course again from the great idol Blum field.
But this album seems indeed a bit more melancholic and resignativier than the predecessor albums of the 90s. In this respect, therefore, the title is excellent chosen "surrender"! (Likewise, the cover- picture!).
Weak point of this album are - as always with this band - but again the texts: a mixture of nonsense, humor, silliness, and now and then a little deep groundwater and time and social criticism. Which regards love songs this band then nevertheless come about beautiful lyrics.
For each song:
- The opener "My Ruin" is a heavy, loud song à la Ramstein, would love the fans that band with security, which can me personally (as tocopherol fan of the first hour) even after repeated listening tear but not entirely off the stool;
- "Surrender" is musically again a little in this direction, but is slower and sounds less strict, humorous. For me it is much better than the opener, because here come the old Toco's better with their strengths to advantage; but also not of very great charm of the disc;
- "From my fortress" is strong melancholic. Simple song structure. Still not bad;
- "Verschwör you against you" is easily the predecessor here similar to the song structure. But the song seems more lively, but mainly positive;
- "We are Many" has musically this dark sound. Nevertheless, the band also makes this song from a listening experience;
- "Harmony is a strategy": please no one come up with the idea to take the text of this geheimnisvoll- mythic songs Ernst! (Have I not heard him right?). I like the song anyway;
- "Imitations": has again this berüchtigt- silly text of the band. (. Vlllt I also just did not understand him?); Melody still not bad;
- "Defenseless" is my absolute favorite this board! Although "only" a love ballad; Nevertheless, one should thus be able to win every girl, because one of the best songs of this genre ever !;
- "Your secret name" again very melancholic. Sound to match the theme very mysterious. Slowly;
- "Say everything from" is a rock song that also would Jochen Distelmeyer's "Blum field" could have come, according to the vocal style, theme and sound of the song;
- "Air" is a slower, yet very beautiful rock ballad, in proven toco- style, as one is already used him for the band;
- "Explosion" is a darkly sad, very reminiscent in theme and execution at Ramstein, slower song again.
CONCLUSION: a surprising, neuartigeres, very varied album of my opinion in this country is still the best indie rock band to win with good rock songs, but most of all good rock ballads, and with the potential, new, even the very young, fans. The old fans will not frighten.
No song on this CD is bad; even though the songs are very different among themselves. The courage to experiment has paid off for the band, therefore (not just financially) thoroughly! Especially the ballads are some quite outstanding success, and prove that the band musically until today in this country continue to no other band can hold a candle!
For the old fans of the band, like me, at first a little getting used to, dennooch very good.
I'm using "digital is better" grew up, and keep those CD today for the greatest genius of the band. However, this band had to inevitably lead us to develop in other directions; and that is their quite successful with this CD! In addition, will probably have to admit every fan that the newer discs but are much more sophisticated in instrumental terms, and the old sound newer, more complex sound can add nuances, as the old, very purist guitar drum Schrammel sound of earlier years!