Album: Volk
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Mute, 2006 |
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Review: Those who are familiar with Laibach know that cover versions of other artists songs are a very important component in the bands musical history. Laibach have produced their own versions of songs from bands as wide ranging as Queen, Bino, The Beatles, Juno Reactor, Siddharta, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Prince, and many others. You could almost say that Laibach are a 'covers' band. I would caution, however, for those unfamiliar with Laibach, that they are not the type of 'covers' band that you will find belting out requests of hit songs at your best friends wedding reception. Laibach's approach is to bring out a dark profundity in the lyrics, and a moodier, more dramatic, sometimes menacing, atmosphere. Logically, 'Volk' had to happen. After covering so many famous tunes, including a whole Beatles album, where could Laibach turn but to some of the most famous tunes on the planet; national anthems. Heard by millions at sports events, national ceremonies, and at school, these tunes were ripe for reinterpretation by Laibach. 'Volk' is a collaboration between the Slovenian musical duo, Silence, and Laibach. The national anthems of a number of powerful nations, plus Slovenia and Laibach's own NSK, have been extensively and skilfully reworked both musically and lyrically to great effect. Also extensively reworked is Laibach's image for this project. We are treated to a softer, more delicate, Laibach. Gone is the usual 'nazi' style cog and cross logo replaced by a striking yet enigmatic 'V' shape. Lead singer, Milan Fras, now has softer, almost whispered, gravel tones compared to his trademark hard rasping guttural vocals. Recent video footage on tracks 'Slovania' and 'Turkiye' also reveal he has shaven off his full priest-like beard for a smoother, less aggressive appearance. I am reviewing the special edition CD which takes the form of a substantial hardcover booklet/digipack with various watercolour paintings and notes on the origins of each anthem. In keeping with the softer image, the booklet resembles a young child's storybook. The watercolours are in a naive style, again much like a child might paint. The neat freehand anthem notes seem written with real ink rather than a desktop publisher. I even found the CD font and colour scheme reminiscent of the popular floral fragrance 'Anais Anais'; albeit in a rather smudged distorted way. The booklet paintings of sheep give way to darker imagery of the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' as there are pictures of wolves (one that is discarding a sheep mask). There is also one of what looks like a wolf's head covered in blood. At first glance these are pretty child's paintings but closer inspection perhaps reveals the deeper message of 'Volk' on cultural imperialism enabled through pop culture. Musically, the pounding aggression and edginess found in much of Laibach's work has been almost completely removed. Silence are responsible for the compositions and have replaced the usual stomping military percussion with complex electronic patterns that blend and coil sophisticatedly around the lyrics. There are no fast tempo tracks on 'Volk'. Instead, the album generally proceeds at a more stately pace befitting the source material. At times the music strikes me as genuinely beautiful with a children's choir, delicate oriental treble voices, and a host of talented professional guest vocalists and musicians. I was impressed by the wonderful piano arrangements courtesy of Silence's Primoz Hladnik, and throughout 'Volk', Silence's Boris Benko successfully provides much of the secondary vocals; his remarkably versatile voice often the perfect foil for Milan Fras ('Anglia' is a good example of this). To emphasise the softer approach used on 'Volk' I will admit that whilst reviewing the album late one night, sitting on the sofa, notebook in hand, I actually fell asleep during the 'Nippon' track for a couple of minutes. It wasn't boring, just delicate and relaxing. Not all the songs on the album are of this nature, many being quite rousing, but I can't think of any track on any other Laibach album that creates such a beautifully gentle soundscape. This contrasts with such tracks as 'Yisra'el' and 'Turkiye' which have strong echoes of the usual darker Laibach sound. Laibach highlight the seemingly irreconcilable duality present in both nations. The tragic inability of the Palestinians and Israelis to peaceably co-exist, and the constant tension in Turkey between Western looking secularism and Eastern looking Islam. For these reasons, both Turkey and Israel are known as 'torn' nations in Samuel Huntingdon's, 'The Clash Of Civilisations'. I believe that Laibach has not been this topical since the NATO album.
Each track provides revelations of the state of each
nation. Laibach does not always provide an answer to the problems but
often asks questions. Laibach utilize current, past, and new lyrics
within a sonically silken sheath to insert their simple messages to the
unsuspecting flock. In the era of globalization, mass communication, and
for now, internet freedom, anyone with the technology can be the sheep
or the shepherd. Laibach make their words starker whilst wrapping
themselves in a cosy glow (if the tune sounds beautiful then surely the
lyrics are also ... not so here). I am not going to dwell on Laibach's
message to each nation for I feel that would spoil the experience. You
must find out for yourself. All I will reveal is that Laibach are not as
enigmatic as usual: The only reservation anyone might have about 'Volk' is whether it is really a Laibach album. The influence of Silence is very dominant on every track which may lead one to believe we are really hearing a Silence album with Laibach as guest stars; although I guess Silence fans would think the reverse. My own view is that 'Volk' should have been billed as a joint venture since Silence have definitely not subjugated themselves to the expected Laibach sound. If you are looking for aggressive Wagnerian militaristic stomping amidst the Slovenian Triglav mountains you will probably be disappointed. If, however, you are looking for a fresh Laibach sound that you can play to your friends and relatives without sweated explanation and much raising of eyebrows then look no further. 'Volk' is cuttingly contemporary, professionally produced, and should not be ignored by anyone remotely interested in Laibach. |
