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Germany's ambient/indie rock band, The Notwist, are back with their latest album, The Devil, You + Me out in the States this Tuesday, June 17th.
The band formed in 1989 near Munich, and released a metal-esque self-titled debut in 1991, then changed their sound to indie rock for their sophomore album. It looks like they're constantly exploring new sounds, with the introduction to electronics in 1995, then jazz-rock for Shrink, but it seems like they've settled for, currently more ambient, introspective indie rock.
I think their latest release, The Devil, You + Me, is already out in Europe last May, but obviously importing CDs is costly so I recommend buying it domestically when it's released. Plus, if you buy the US version, that usually encourage domestic labels to release more things in the future (and promote it via tour schedules). There is an announcement that they are going to tour North America this October, but I do not have additional details.
In the meantime, it looks like Notwist are going to be busy with several side projects, including 13 & God (their debut released in 2005) and they're also working with Lali Puna (a well established band that I saw live a few years ago).
The strongest track on their album is "Hands on Us", a very pleasant song combining a steady melody with great vocals. Also excellent usage of the violas.
"Good Lies", which is available as a free download if you sign up for their mailing list on thedevilyouandme.com, is also a great starting song for the album.
Current Radiohead fans might enjoy "Where in this World" and "Gloomy Planets" with its beeps and artificial sound and vocal distortion.
I wasn't that keen on the slow-paced song "The Devil, You + Me" (which the album was named after), but this song was almost design to take a break from the louder sounding "Alphabet" and experimental "Gravity" (almost instrumental).
By the time "Gone Gone Gone" shows up, it seems like such a short album. The title and song is very fitting in its placement.
I only have the promo copy, but there will be a nice Limited Edition Deluxe CD version in addition to the standard CD release (with MP3 included on the disc). I saw photographs of the limited UK version and it looks like it's book-like, very cool. The Devil, You + Me is out next Tuesday on Domino Records.
