Poto & Cabengo
Poto & Cabengo
[Karaoke Kalk; 2004; Folk-tronica]
Rating: 9.5
karaokekalk.de

Sharing a name with an obscure documentary could not be more fitting for this duo. Jens Massel and Michael Cramm, aka Poto & Cabengo, figuratively parallel the subjects of the film, twins who speak their own language to each other. With a sound as that's a fusion of folk, country and electronica, these two obviously speak their own language. You might not be able to completely decipher what's happening, but I guarantee you'll enjoy listening in on it.

With an earthy strum and jangly tambourine worthy of it's name, Dylan Dog starts the album with a surprising style and a hook that won't let go. What follows is a stroll through warm ambience, frantic beats and spoken word, world music influences, electronic storytelling, bells, drums, handclaps, strings and keys - and on highlight Suevian Rhapsody, I swear it's built around a sample of Big Rock Candy Mountains from O Brother, Where Art Thou?

By the time this record winds down, you still aren't quite sure what exactly is going on here. It's indescribable, yet completely enjoyable. It's as puzzling as the cover image of metaphorically cracked paint that looks like soft waves continuously rolling in. The continuity is cracked, the instruments comfortably worn, yet the waves continue to pound you and each is as unique as the one that came before it. By far one of the most original records to make it's way into my head this year. One of my top 10 favorites of 2004.