After five studio albums, one live album and a DVD, Schelmish returns with Mente Capti. With their steady output of minimal one album a year, one know what to expect from Schelmish. Rock and folk elements combined. This is clear in the very first track (Tanz Mit Mir) already. Hard guitar and drums are combined with the bagpipes (amongst other instruments). The vocals are as usual a bit raw, to give the music a more rough and ‘medieval’ element.
This promo copy contains five of the songs that are on the full release with 19 tracks. It’s too bad that there are no traditional songs (Gaudete, Twa Corbies) on this promo, as I’m really a fan of traditional tunes. But then again, this promo is a club promo, so should be containing the more danceable songs. The second song, Galapagos, is extremely danceable. If you can dance to bagpipes and such that is. This (mostly) instrumental piece of music is really nice, as it shows the better musical qualities of Schelmish. With this kind of music I can’t help but having the feeling that the songs are all a bit alike. Sorry diehard fans, but that’s just what I sense. Mix rock and bagpipes together, play certain kind of tunes/riffs and add some other parts. Sure it’s fun while it lasts, but it can get pretty boring after some time.
The lyrics, even though they’re in German, are pretty easy to follow. Especially the choruses. But they are also pretty damned catchy. And that’s the reason why people like this band so much. It’s easy to be taken by the music and have a good time. Der Letzte Kuss, which is the third song, for instance just sticks in your head like that annoying pop song from the top10 charts. Except that this is a whole lot less annoying. A whole lot less indeed.
After finishing the last two songs, I can say without doubt that the two instrumental songs from this promo are by far the most interesting ones. They show quality instead of a succesformula that the other three songs seem to work with. Fans won’t be disappointed, critical listeners will be.
artists : Schelmish
title : Mente Capti
Label : Banshee Records
release : 07.04.2006
tracks : 19
genre : medieval (medieval / traditional folk / celtic / world)
total playtime : 75:56 Min
Tracklist:
1. Collaudemus
2. Der letzte Kuss
3. Die sieben Kostbarkeiten
4. Twa Corbies
5. Freigang
6. Gelobtes Land
7. Die Marionette
8. Weiße Fesseln
9. Galapagos
10. Gaudete
11. Sal Bybon Bonh
12. Tanz mit mir
13. Mente Capti
14. Osmanish
15. Ein Märchen?
16. Follow me up to Carlow
17. Pank!
18. Zweiundzwanzig Jahre
19. Bonus: Die Rabenballade
Download Schelmish – Mente Capti 2006 part 1:
http://w17.easy-share.com/1701279433.html
Download Schelmish – Mente Capti 2006 part 2:
http://w16.easy-share.com/1701278805.html
