Kammerflimmer Kollektief - Jinx

Kammerflimmer Kollektief
Jinx
(06.2007, Staubgold)
6.5/10.0

Kammerflimmer Kollektief is odd. The cover art for the bands latest release on Staubgold should be enough to cement that into your mind. Odd and, like their cover art, kind of freaky. Additionally, for an American audience, the alliterative, virtually unpronounceable multisyllabic German name just creates problems. It becomes difficult to truly recognize whether this weirdness is just some cultural barrier or if Kammerflimmer Kollektief are just that messed up. Holding tight the experimental krautrock roots that their homeland inspired, Kammerflimmer Kollektief is leaning on ten years of productivity for their latest: Jinx. Employing a list of standard and electronic instruments, Jinx is a series of contorted freak-outs that, unfortunately, are more freaky than cool. When vocals enter the picture they act as an instrument gone haywire as a possessed witchy jabberwocky spit all over the instrumental bleating. The vocals aren't undecipherable because they're German, it's undecipherable because it's nonsensical and alienating. Perhaps this is the point, but I fail to see the purpose or gratification that can be extracted from it (and I am going to claim that I can find gratifying moments in pretty batty nonsense – check the back logged reviews). Spanning eight tracks, Jinx does reach some enjoyable areas. "Live At The Cactus Tree Motel" gives relief from the fright fest of the opening two tracks offering a lilting other-worldly calm with a piano laden backbone. "Gammer, Zen & Hoe Berge” gives a quick burst of palatable energy with distorted strings that seem to fray as their sawed. Ultimately, Jinx is disappointing and occasionally upsetting, but there is an odd witchery that won't let you dismiss it all at once. Just consider this your warning – there is something not quite right here.

-Mr. Thistle

Listen to songs on their website.