Schiffsverkehr

Herbert Groenemeyer’s way to the stars

Herbert Groenemeyer is rightfully the world’s most famous musician from Germany. Million-making studio albums aside, he is also known for making soundtracks to popular American motion pictures and even finds time to test his own acting skills. Well, of course, music is what he is immensely better at. This was not always this way. Today is scarcely believable that at dawn of his professional career, the artist would have severe financial difficulties and, apparently, would bear in mind doubts concerning his musical future. How could he not if his first five (!) studio albums were complete commercial failures, which on several occasions forced Herbert to cancel concerts due far away from his town. He finally became popular in Germany in the mid eighties, but outside he remained pretty much unknown for quite a while, mostly because of his German lyrics. However, soon after he moved to London, where he had an amazing creative breakthrough, the situation changed for the better. The release of the Mensch studio album in 2002 marked the start of Herbert Groenemeyer’s life as a real star. He releases his new record, Schiffsverkehr, in the status of iconic performer.

Schiffsverkehr complex structure

Schiffsverkehr kicks off without any warning dropping on the listener three perfect concert pieces, including title song and what appears the album’s brightest highlight, Fernweh. After such an energetic start it is the proper time to relax, and number four here is an inevitable ballad, Unfassbarer Grund. It is followed by another low-tempo track, Deine Zeit. What is common for both of them is striking piano, but you will tell one from the other after just a couple of listens when you know the motives. What did Herbert do with the remaining part of Schiffsverkehr? Quite surprisingly, he did not add up any direct hit pop-oriented material, which seemed the most promising option. On the contrary, the artist challenges the listener to talk more seriously as he offers true intellectual and emotional songs with their melodies developed by keys and their tension marked by guitars. The best example is Zu Dir, one with a beautiful intro and heart-crushing solo. The gigantic So Wie Ich, a track from the extended Special Edition, demonstrates the musician’s audacity in full. It starts with rock and roll, continues in sheer silence and ends with a Rammstein-like chorus.

A big performer’s privilege

Now that Herbert Groenemeyer needs no introduction and it is not that easy to make it to his concert, the artist finds himself in the most comfortable situation there could be. He feels free to release eclectic albums where apart from obligatory hits and singles he is given so much space for his mind to soar in its liberty. Schiffsverkerh, the title meaning Vessel Traffic, is nothing but a sea for the musician’s free sailing. His thoughts circulate like vessels, chaotically and incomprehensibly for an outsider, but in complete harmony to one another. After starting the album the way it is supposed for a pop-star, Herbert developed it in a more interesting and clever manner to be appraised by true music experts. He is confident that this music will have its audience. After all, he still has songs to storm charts. It is an interesting solution, an interesting album provided by an interesting performer.