FORTUNA EHRENFELD

In the organizer's words:

Fortuna Ehrenfeld have persistently crocheted their own DNA of a subcultural super-species. Linguistically an absolute impertinence, they turn away from the usual singer/songwriter consensus once and for all and rampage elegantly and unimpressed through the language barriers like a poked badger in a sausage stand. With a sold-out concert in Cologne's Philharmonie, they have now returned after a year's sabbatical and sound fresher and smoother than ever before.

"Live At The Hollywood Bowl" is a colossal self-indictment and a resounding slap in the face for the AI in the pacifier stage. Martin Bechler says: "By far the best thing we've ever done. Happiest man alive."

Fortuna Ehrenfeld have reduced their independent poetry and unmistakable sound to a melt-in-your-mouth point. Catchy tunes on the strip. Will-o'-the-wisps, abysses and always a huge package of danceable hope, unadorned consolation in the floating ballads.

Lyrically, they shamelessly cheat their way into the vicinity of Frank Zappa and/or Trio and continue to dig a little deeper into the trenches of blissful beer-can indie. And as long as the drum machine still has battery power, the LED chains of the mixing desk fly into red and any elegance falls victim to sheer production naivety.

Martin Bechler, Jenny Thiele, Jannis Bentler - the magical trio is back.