• Heino - Mit freundlichen Grüßen (2013) (8/10)

    Genre: Pop
    Label: Self-production
    Playing time: 56:20
    Band homepage: -

    Tracklist:

    1. Junge (DIE ÄRZTE cover)
    2. Haus am See (PETER FOX cover)
    3. Ein Kompliment (SPORTFREUNDE STILLER cover)
    4. Augen auf ! (OOMPH! cover)
    5. Sonne (RAMMSTEIN cover)
    6. Gewinner (CLUESO cover)
    7. Liebes Lied (ABSOLUTE BEGINNER cover)
    8. Leuchtturm (NENA cover)
    9. Vogel der Nacht (STEPHAN REMMLER cover)
    10. MfG (DIE FANTASTISCHEN VIER cover)
    11. Kling Klang (KEIMZEIT cover)
    12. Willenlos (MARIUS MÜLLER-WESTERNHAGEN cover)¸
    13. Was soll das (HERBERT GRÖNEMEYER cover) (Bonus track)
    14. Songs für Liam (KRAFTKLUB cover) (Bonus track)
    Heino - Mit freundlichen Grüßen

    HEINO is a traditional German pop singer born back in 1938 who has been known for hits such as “Was träumen Matrosen” (1967), “Mohikana Shalali” (1971), “Blau blüht der Enzian” (1972), “La Montanara (Das Lied der Berge)” (1973) and “Die schwarze Barbara” (1975). Twenty-four years after his last charted single and seven years after his last and not very popular album, the old man is back and he immediately hit the peak position of the German album charts – for a first time in his long career.

    You might now ask why this old pop singer is relevant for a metal website. In fact, I would have never thought of listening to any HEINO album in my entire life. Let me explain you how all of this happened. HEINO has always been an artist that divided the masses. Many old people still adore him while he incarnates a very old fashioned image for younger generations. Many artists and bands made fun of him in the past and this record that is subtitled “the forbidden album” can be seen as some sort of humorous revenge. HEINO covers twelve more or less actual pop and rock songs from the eighties up until now and even adds two bonus songs to some versions of this release. This album led to many passionate discussions. Many of the covered bands accepted the new versions while others expressed their disagreement and said that Heino would treat their material in a disrespectful way. The artist himself described these songs as modern folk pop songs and compared them to his earliest material. The media attention made this release peak in Germany and it also went at number six in Austria as well as at number seven in Switzerland. Among the covered bands, one can find popular Neue Deutsche Härte bands such as OOMPH! and RAMMSTEIN but also punk bands like DIE ÄRZTE, rap artists like CLUESO, PETER FOX and DIE FANTASTISCHEN VIER and older and younger pop bands from NENA to SPORTFREUNDE STILLER.

    The dark vocals and the rhythm orientated big band or brass sounds make each song sound as if it was an original track done by HEINO himself which is very funny and entertaining. The new versions differ a lot from the original. Sometimes, the concept works very well. “Leuchtturm” sounds much better and quite emotional with HEINO’s charismatic and longing vocals and easily beats the somewhat cheesy original. The punk song “Junge” that tells the story of a rebellious kid that has some troubles with his old fashioned parents from the point of view of the latter ones, gets incredibly ironical when it gets interpreted by HEINO who exactly represents this part of the German society. When he complains about the behavior, the clothes and the music of the teenager in the song, you can’t help but have a big smile on your face. The track has a vivid brass section and the strong vocals add a great touch to the song and I hugely prefer this version to the uninspired original. When HEINO starts to perform “Sonne”, one realizes that his dark vocals and his expressions are in fact surprisingly close to the original by RAMMSTEIN and that’s why this song is one of those that remain rather close to the initial version. Even fans of Germany’s most popular band might try this song out and could eventually happen to like it.

    Even though there happens to be some repetition on this record after a while, the initial idea is amusing and the record is definitely entertaining. The vocals of the seventy-four years old man sound still strong and the instrumental work is also very well executed. Soon, the artist is going to play a few rock and metal festivals which was an idea he initially refused. Maybe this will help in the two senses. HEINO might learn that young people and their music are not as bad as he thinks and metal fans might realize that HEINO is at least a very gifted singer and has some sense of humour. After the cover record by CALLEJON that came out earlier this year, this is already the second incredible cover album of the young year 2013. This thing will surely continue to get some airplay in the radios and at different parties of all kinds of generations in the next weeks and months to come. Open up your mind, join in and try this incredible album out now.

    (Online March 12, 2013)

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