The Real Music

.net

Katzenjammer are an all female quartet from Olso, Norway. Unlike your typical band, the members are not assigned one particular role; they all play a variety of instruments including their trademark balalaika bass. For this reason, Katzenjammer are never a dull affair. It is also for this reason that their debut album, Le Pop, is much more than the folk pop opus it is usually labelled as.

Le Pop is like watching an intrigate thriller, it's full of twists and turns. Just when you think you've nailed it, Katzenjammer will surprise you with another trick. Le Pop is sprinkled with a multitude of genres ranging from bouncy bluegrass ("A Bar in Amsterdam"), dancy folk ("Play My Darling, Play"), sinister cabaret ("Virginia Clem"), bluesy rock'n'roll ("Ain't No Thang"), to cartoon inspired melodies like on the title track. Katzenjammer have a little something for everyone.

The main strong point to the album is the display of talent with no instrument seeming too daunting for the girls. When you see them live, you realise the extent of this, with members sometimes playing more than one instrument at a time. This array of talent allows the album to have a unified diversity. Each member brings her own personality to the table. There's Solveig with her pretty pop vocals, Marianne with her powerful soulful edge, Anne-Marit with her cute folk touch and Turid who offers a bit of grit. However, overall, they are one, playing a beautiful music that is a far cry form the wailing cat the band's name implies.

Le Pop has lifted Katzenjammer to reasonable success throughout mainland Europe, a success that was easily built upon with their second release, "A Kiss Before You Go", last year. If you've yet to discover Katzenjammer, it's about time you did. So get the music, sit back and enjoy the show.

F. Declercq 19/07/12