The Discovery of Slowness

"I'm new to the Hamburger Schule" Dirk von Lotzow sang on the second Tocotronic album "Remembrance of Things Past" yet strangely melancholic. That's now seven years ago, the term "Hamburger Schule" not even history and otherwise A lot has happened in all these years. And, most important at this point - "Tocotronic" have not stopped making music. There are now six albums, the last work was published on June 10 and is titled simply "Tocotronic". Black lettering on a white background - purely optical already interesting. Those who wish can also list more interpreted into the presentation of the album, the variations range from a lack of creativity to the highest form of perfection similar to the black square on a white background in art.
Whatever the reason, at first listen sounds the plate with titles like "Everything is up in flames", "Closer to you" or "shadow cast no shadows" strangely unfamiliar. What is already indicated in the fourth studio album with the use of strings and the drag the tempo favor strong melodic elements, then with largely peaceful titles and completely giving up the slogan adhere title continued on Kook has now reached to "Tocotronic" its preliminary perfection. One misses catchy slogan-like lines of text as the first albums, their Weltschmerz anyway and even those songs that sometimes came along just banal short and quick, yet liked right away.
Thirteen titles found on the new work place, after 65:48 minutes they have been heard fully. Stuck at first only that one can distinguish the title at the first hearing difficulties. Common to all is a passivity, a rest because Tocotronic seem to have discovered the slowness. Although Dirk von Lotzow recently said on the previous albums, the lyrics have not always complied strictly his soul life, but sometimes were only formally elected sake, one would have catchy lyrics like "I want to be part of a youth movement" on Tocotronic Tocotronic desired. Instead sounding phrases like "Lead me gently, give me a drink-drink" and you look once more on the CD, if really is the right music in the CD player.
The magic of the plate unfolds only after repeated listening, if you already know the pieces are different and can concentrate on them. Then suddenly the usual strong lyrics worthy to be, then one begins humming the tunes and then you begin the presentation of the album chosen as consciously understand. Although it mainly quiet sounds, the lyrics are so symbolically that is impossible an interpretation or understanding simply, it draws the listener soon in his spell. And yet, there will be people who think of those not following sentence to the new album: "I was a long time after nothing so much longing as this Toco-plate when I came out of the store, I was glad that I had." They will think: "The idea is good but the world is not yet ready." And maybe they are right.