Gearshifting is the eleventh album by Berlin based Fir Cone Children who are Alexander Donat's band that make music for his two daughters, who are now 11 and 9 years old and whose lives are reflected in the music and lyrics. Any German phrases in this review are taken from a 100 year old Czech German glossary I recently acquired.
The Album Opens with Lets Calm The Senses a dreamy synth pop song for his eldest daughter, who is on the cusp of entering puberty and is starting to experience the wild shifts of raging hormonal urges that dad wishes were not Mei Diege, hoping he could keep them at bay with the synth's chiming away.
Madness! Is a rush of adrenaline like you've had far too much sugar and caffeine and can't stop rushing around like a total Meshugganah Wunderkind on a total rampage of Helen Love meets Atari Teenage Riot style pop Madness!
Your Voice is grating on me, do I have to listen to what you say dad, really I am old enough to choose my own things, can you get her to listen to you or does she see you as a schekitzele to be avoided if at all possible, oh what a life, such tsouris.
Now Is Now and then is then will you lose control or be able to maintain focus chiming guitars rattle along, while binge watching reality tv might be seen as the last thing that is good for your education, you just don't care verschwartzt soll se gehen on anyone saying you can't watch another episode.
Ghost in The Frame an apparition that might make you jealous and wonder if A Flock Of Seagulls is a sensible band name or sound to chase gern hast. The quiet jangle pop interlude throws them off guard.
Spell Your Name go on, as I have no idea how you spell it, does it have two L's wenn schon, den schon you know it won't end anything, just let me know the right way and I'll make you feel good.
Swedish Shades is for the joy Alex's youngest felt when she discovered the delights of wearing Swedish Shades, lord know what she will feel when she finds out what it's like to wear sunglasses after dark like a gigerl.
Ball On Lawn did you not read the signs to keep of the grass, I can hear Mr Buick yelling Get off the grass at me for trying to retrieve that ball, I have been found out as a schekitzele again, the guitars rage away.
Perfect Trade is the sort of deal you do with your parents to be able to spend time with your friends, tschuwe served looking after the oldest lady on the street, this has a sense of longing, the hope you'll soon be elsewhere up to no good, rather than being a do gooder.
The album closes with Life Rearranges that feels like patsch von e chochem come to life, the drums speed up and finally you've been allowed to choose just what clothes you get, your body rages against everything and everyone, but these changes feel essential.
Find out more at https://blackjackilluministrecords.bandcamp.com/album/gearshifting???https://www.facebook.com/FirConeChildren
