In an intriguing tweak on the idea of going "unplugged," the
Cobra Killer
partnership completely ditches its usual
electronic
backing for
Das Mandolinenorchester
, revisiting songs from earlier releases as if they were Eastern
European folk
songs. Admittedly that's a bit of a stretch -- the duo keeps the songs grounded in their original sources, their voices wry, winsome, and witty. But instead of doing the music, they hand over everything to the mandolin-based act
Kapajkos
, who tackle the arrangements with vim. To top it all off, all the tracks were recorded live in the studio aside from some brief overdubs, lending the album an immediate, playful quality that is echoed in the occasional side comment from the bandmembers. That Eastern
music can be as hyperspeed as any gabber
techno
or
thrash
metal
act ever was already clear, but hearing
tackle songs like
"The Stoker"
and
"L.A. Shaker"
and completely make them their own is simply wonderful. Sometimes all it comes down to is simply captivating beauty as well --
"High Is the Pine"
concludes on a series of gorgeous mandolin flourishes. The contrast between
's more rabble-rousing instincts and the groove of the music is sometimes magical -- consider the way they sing the chorus to
"Helicopter 666"
while the band adds in backing cheers, not to mention a wonderful, rousing interpretation of the instrumental break, while the first version of
"Mund Auf -- Augen Zu"
included is strident and confrontational, and doesn't need a speck of electricity.
may or may not do anything like this again, but be glad they did this at least once -- it's a unique, wonderful record that deserves attention. ~ Ned Raggett