You know what sometimes you hear an album that just hits the spot. Max Goedecke is that man this month with his self-produced debut album ‘Newspeak’ a record that will have you reaching for superlatives and wondering how this Cologne native has managed to craft such a wonderful selection of songs and get such a rich sound on his first time out, even managing to produce himself in the process.
If you savour a little of the lighter side of the tracks and the authentic sounds of the seventies washed through with some thoroughly modern sensibilities you’ll love this. If you love Tom Petty you’ll be immediately taken by opening track ‘She’s a good damn girl’ and if you tip your hat at the sounds of Kurt Vile you’ll really like the rest.
Essentially ‘Newspeak’ is an Indie take on the classic rock and Americana sounds of progenitors like Neil Young and all that came after and it sounds remarkably crisp and fresh here.
‘Slowly to Sink’ the second track is perhaps my favourite here at the moment and really shows off Max’s distinctive pleasantly raspy voice which here takes on a Jack White-esque lilt. There’s plenty of swirling energy in the song that takes on a real early eighties indie rock vibe and won’t let you go until its teeth are fully sunk in. It’s the kind of song you hear and know that if the artist runs with this then bigger things are just around the corner.
‘Like a Child’ starts with a harmonica and Max’s breathy vocal in direct contrast to the layers of ‘Slowly to Sink’ it’s an alchemic mix of atmospherics and directness and takes on a hint of Patty Smith along with the pervasive hints of bands like Echo and The Bunnymen.
Three tracks, in truth, is all you really need to know that there’s something special here. There’s a heady and eclectic mix of styles that take from the 70’s and the 80’s and yet still somehow sound completely fresh and exciting. There’s also a variety here that most debutants would shy away from belaying a real confidence in the material.
You’ll be impressed by the seagulls and gentle keys of ‘Alessai Di Castellabate” before a country swing hooks in and runs away with the song as Max sounds almost Bolan-esque in his delivery; then there’s the Steve Earle tinged indie-rock stab of ‘behind the Sun’.
Of the second half of the album it’s perhaps the immediacy of the huge 80’s infused ‘Meant to Be’ that takes the prize but against some very stiff competition. This is the start of something mark my words.
Website: www.maxgoedecke.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/max.goedecke
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