This album features a heavily produced amalgamation of hard synth, soft piano and grungy stacks of guitar. It would seem that they are trying to cover all bases in an effort to please everyone who is not as yet a Rammstein fan, bringing a pop angle to Lindemann’s favoured industrial rock style.
Till Lindemann is the lead singer of Rammstein, and “Skills in Pills” is the first English album he’s released. First and foremost, it would widen his fan base considerably if more people can understand him. Conversely, fans who finally comprehend his message may be repelled by it.
Lindemann’s throaty baritone retains the classic tone he is known for. It sounds just as good in English as in his native German, but of course for most English speakers this will be the first time that the true obscenity of his lyrics will be apparent. Misogyny, violence and perversion are common themes throughout. There are a few songs that that are simply disgusting, offensive and unlistenable.
As a whole, “Skills in Pills” could be the world’s most disturbing show tunes collection. In ‘Fish On’, He stretches the metaphor of fishing to new lengths, imbuing the entire song with sketchy innuendo which simply doesn’t work. I know we all can’t be poets, but ‘Cowboy’ in particular is doomed from the start for its lack of authentic message. They are sung with a theatrical quality which, while well executed at times, does nothing to relieve the listener from the overt barrage of profanity.
Lindemann is first and foremost a provocateur. Music is simply his preferred medium; one where quality is secondary to shock value. In spite of the lengths they’ve gone to, the music never attains the necessary level of anger or fear that such extreme lyrics need to drive the point home. The prevalence of bells and whistles actually dilutes the shock value of overall product.
The ultimate problem with Lindemann’s first English offering is that obscenity does not equate to artistry. Provoking a response and making a point are not the same thing, but clearly he believes otherwise. “Skills in Pills” wobbles drunkenly between the obvious and the obscene. I recommend that you don’t listen to it at all.
From Stian on Twitter.
Listen to ‘”Skills In Pills” below. [Ed’s note: If your constitution is strong and you’re not easily offended.]
