Walking on wings
And just when one might have thought that the variability and perfection of form in Suchen would not be easily surpassed, or even equalled, this new album comes to subvert this idea and give an even more intriguing dimension to Arne's already multifaceted work...
The reference of the cover to the Alan Parker film Birdy has already been mentioned in another review - the silhouette of a man in a "ready to fly" pose, his arms wide open like wings. But although flight in the literal sense is impossible for humans (hence the irony of the title, flugUNtauglich), there is always the desire to take off, to break free from the limits of human existence. In the poem Albatross, Charles Baudelaire compares the poet to a sea bird whose giant wings prevent it from walking; the privilege but also the curse of the artist's vocation is this constant urge to find solace in the blessed infinity of the air.
Themes like loneliness (Alter Mann am Meer, Einsamkeit), intimate contemplations and memories (Stephanie, In der Hoffnungsbucht, Der Suchende, Geh doch, The old crow), sarcastic reflections about the world (Es war einmal, Die Welt ist schon) are treated with boldness as well as sensitivity. The almost heartbreaking poetry of the lyrics is often combined with irony that only underlines the more personal glimpses of tenderness; a delicate lyricism lurks in the apparent simplicity of the melodic lines, waiting to be discovered. Acoustic instruments blend with electronic sounds in melodies that comprise a variety of musical styles, even ballads with "Celtic" overtones (In der Hoffnungsbucht) - however, the general impression is one of consistency and unity.
Thank you for this beautiful album, your best until now - after that, I'm really intrigued to see what the next one will be like...
NOTE: This album is no longer available on Jamendo, but may still be freely downloadable from The Jamendo Albums Collection @ Archive.org.
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