The source material for Baustelle’ odes to humankind’s inherent drive towards progress come from the exact source of the subject matter that inspire the lyrical concerns contained within; the building site, the renovation & the engineering marvels that define our human landscape. Gudrun Gut and Antye Greie both have formidable pedigrees, and they certainly bring their production skills, intellect and ear for a sweet (or not-so-sweet, given the musique concrete origins of this album) hook to the fore on Baustelle.
Album opener Cutting Trees comes across all grimey, with a low-slung syncopated beat and strings, which is abruptly interrupted by the sounds of a two-stroke chainsaw motor being revved in preparation for the felling of some European timbre. Early 80′ Neue Deutsche Welle band Palais Schaumberg’ Wir Bauen Eine Neue Stadt is given a catchy update by the ladies, losing some of the scratchy intensity of the original, but they kindly add in some English lyrics for us monoglots. “You give me water, I stir the mortar†purrs AGF.
The Greie Gut Fraktion team’ interplay of words, messing with syntax in German and English, is a highlight of the album. It is reminiscent of AGF’ vocal work on Vladislav Delay’ Naima live album from 2001, where her words were dissolved and reconstituted in a multitude of combinations. On Drilling an Ocean they ramp up the pressure a couple of bars, with ticking and spluttering percussion. This is slowly overtaken by the thought that the CD could possibly be stuffed; used sparingly this is such a great effect for those that like to be baffled and surprised by their listening experiences.
On Betongiessen, Gudrun Gut croons an erotic dream-sequence poem to a concrete pouring labourer; “A man in full bloom, his legs wide open, he stands squarely to balance, with a heavy loadâ€. A memorable image, indeed. China Memories heads East, with Mandarin speakers and Gudrun Gut’s seemingly exasperated request for a hairdryer before rhythmic orientalist textures overtake this audio tour diary. Back in Berlin, the ladies are wondering about White Oak for the floor, in a conundrum played out on building sites and renovations the world over.
With a lyrical playfulness and a stylistically varied musical palate, Baustelle combines contemporary electronic musical urges with musique concrete and sound art, blending it into a well-appointed building project that you’d be proud to show the neighbours around.
Oliver Laing
