I just acquired this album (the reissued version with the “Conquer Your House” EP included) about seven hours ago, and after about three or four complete spins, I must say, I’ve very mixed feelings about it. Namely, adoration, curiosity, and slight disappointment. While this record does to me exactly what I’d expect from a TKK/KMFDM collaboration (which can only be a good thing [:)]), it pisses me off. A little bit.
If you’ve listened to this as well as both the “Naive” and “Money” albums, you know what I’m talking about. In some twisted sense, “Conquer Your World” serves as a missing link of sorts between the two, fusing the dancy groove of the former with the political angst of the latter. This alone is pretty cool, but what strikes me after giving this a thorough listen is how awesome, yet extremely UNORIGINAL, the Kapt’n can be.
Sure, there’s no chants of “Rip the system!”, “More & faster!”, “Beat by beat!”, or “KMFDM is the best and stuff!”, thank GOD. There is however, lots of elements of the “Naive” LP used in the tracks (most noticeably to me, “Piggybank” and “Liebeslied”) and the foundations of what would appear on the “Money” album and others (some of my favorite KMFDM tracks of all time, “Ooh La La” and “Bargeld” seem to be SHAMELESSLY lifted from “To Death” and “Conquer Your House,” respectively). Not to mention that insufferable “YEAH!” sample that’s about as cliche’d as the whole self-promotional lyrics thing.
But despite its flaws, Sascha and Buzz McCoy put together a damned good album. “Conquer Your House” and “To Death II” are very solid and listenable, and “Worship Me” is good, clean, blasphemous fun. Hell, just the inclusion of the fabulous “Ride the Bomb” makes this record all the worthwhile.
I think it’s a great album. Not too familiar with TKK though…but I went into it only knowing KMFDM’s work, so of course I got it (reissue also). Not entirely fond of the second album though, Gentle Death, which might very well have been just random kmfdm outtakes or something.
I dug Excessive Force a lot at the time but fear it might be one of those discs that doesn’t quite live up to my memories of it so I’ve put off picking up the reissue. I have to admit, very little KMFDM does much for me anymore though I still enjoy the first few TKKs so maybe there’s hope for XF.
Although I dug “Leather Clad Warrior” a lot, none of the rest of Gentle Death did much for me.
I’ve actually got “Gentle Death” coming in shortly… and from what I’ve heard of it (namely, “Violent Peace”), I dig it. Lots. But I totally understand where you’re coming from, Piko. Though if the liner notes are anything to go on, that’s precisely what XF was… a giant KMFDM outtake.
i only have the conquer your house single. but i love it. i was eying that EF compilation about a month ago. i might still snag it. you’re right it does serve as a good link between naive and money. I’ve got all the singles in that era from KMFDM. i bought all of those three albums and singles when they came out. it was cool at that time because all of this shit was coming out at us (the fans). thereby, making it weird to go back in time and listen and getting the same feeling. but, at that time it fit perfectly.
kinda weird but I was eying my “Fred” CD on my way out the door this morning coming to work. that’s a cool album, i’ll prob put it in when i get home tonight. you ever check that out? Its got Frankie and… i’m hazy on who else on it. anyone care to chime in on that?
kinda weird but I was eying my “Fred” CD on my way out the door this morning coming to work. that’s a cool album, i’ll prob put it in when i get home tonight. you ever check that out? Its got Frankie and… i’m hazy on who else on it. anyone care to chime in on that?
kinda weird but I was eying my “Fred” CD on my way out the door this morning coming to work. that’s a cool album, i’ll prob put it in when i get home tonight. you ever check that out? Its got Frankie and… i’m hazy on who else on it. anyone care to chime in on that?
That’s easily one of my favorite things Frankie’s ever done. Genesis was on the album as well. Anyone ever checkout Fred’s Kooky Scientist stuff? Is it all as minimalist as the stuff I’ve heard?
Thing about KMFDM (to me) is that I prefer the more electronic/dancey stuff over the guitar stuff any day. Money and Naive are my two favorites, and Conquer Your World sort of bridged a gap between those two albums and Angst, I think it’s great, plus there’s a little difference there as well. Gentle Death strikes me more as a comp. of outtakes than Conquer does. Gentle Death strikes me as one continuous song on an entire disc, but so does CYW.
But Conquer Your World is an amazing album, imo. Listened to it earlier, and it doesn’t go stale.
Thing about KMFDM (to me) is that I prefer the more electronic/dancey stuff over the guitar stuff any day. Money and Naive are my two favorites, and Conquer Your World sort of bridged a gap between those two albums and Angst, I think it’s great, plus there’s a little difference there as well. Gentle Death strikes me more as a comp. of outtakes than Conquer does. Gentle Death strikes me as one continuous song on an entire disc, but so does CYW.
But Conquer Your World is an amazing album, imo. Listened to it earlier, and it doesn’t go stale.
Word up. Though I will say that their more primitive stuff (UAIOE and back) does a hell of a lot more for me than “Naive” and “Money.” Great albums, those two, but the freeform/experimental/fuck-around stuff from '84-'89 just resonates with me more. Agreed about the guitar-heavy stuff… “Nihil” and “XTORT” don’t get too much rotation because of that.
I’ll take “Deutsche Schuld” over “Son of a Gun” anyday.