The most eclectic album you’ll come across this year? Most probably. Scandinavian outfit Katzenjammer bring new meaning to psychedelic roots in new record ‘Rockland’, presenting eleven tracks of musical exploration (to a degree even I’m not quite used to) and lyrical intrigue. I have heard many an album whose sonic influences are varied and liberally employed, but none that take such a schizophrenic approach or are delivered with such daring abandon. No, Katzenjammer’s ‘Rockland’ screams to be heard, not just for its clever and infectious songcraft and its quirky persona, but also out of the sheer confidence they present in doing exactly what they want musically. I have never heard anything quite like it, and I don’t expect to ever again.
The Norwegian-based, all-female four-piece stomp in with a snarl and a cheeky swagger, as ‘Oh My God’ seems to introduce a sound that can only be described as punk folk; they aren’t heavy in instrumentation or texture, but their attitude, edge and slightly unhinged arrangement bring to life the roots from which they grew. Setting the precedent for much of the rest of the record, the lyrics match the uniqueness of the music and really make an effort to say something out of the ordinary, whether in telling a captivating story or just stealing your attention with a playful look at switching gender roles. ‘Bad Girl’, too, has a sense of light-hearted feminist aggression through a developing swampy romp, and a surprisingly serious lyric about the bullying and rejected inflicted upon girls who do not conform to societal norms. Often, this feisty quartet have more to say than they let on, as with such an overwhelming cacophony of styles on offer it would be easy to just absorb the music and allow the narratives to be secondary. However, care and attention has been taken over each lyric, and closer inspection sheds far more light on their perspective as a strong-minded, unique and nu-feminist group, without allowing it to exclusively define them.
For example, ‘Lady Grey’ (the lead single) is an utterly charming pop/folk ditty about discovering the long-lost memories of an elderly lady, complete with a chorus so joyful and catchy you’ll have a hard time not singing along by the time the final refrain rolls around. Then there’s the bouncy indie-pop of ‘My Dear’, asking a partner whether they will love them through everything until the very end, complete with Irish jig on the chorus, and folk/rock unison singalong of the title track which has echoes of friendship and freedom even if sometimes the lyrics leave me scratching my head. Among this, however, they make sure to push their own powerful viewpoint to the forefront of the record; with the likes of rhythmic, soulful bluegrass accompanying polarization on ‘Curvaceous Needs’, European eclectic ska pop and celebration of individuality on ‘My Own Tune’, indie rock and punky singing style with new dawn-esque lyrics on ‘Shine Like Neon Rays’, and old bluegrass/mountain folk tunes and epic tales on opener ‘Old De Spain’. It all sits quite comfortably in the folk vein, and this becomes ever more apparent the more you listen, but it is truly fascinating sonically and at times difficult to decipher, even for someone who is used to picking out the influences from pieces of music.
So what is ‘Rockland’, as an album? I’m still not really sure. One thing I do know is that it is a defiant statement from an all-female group, drawing from the sounds of Northern Europe, the roots of the British Isles and the origins of pure American music. I also know it is extremely clever, and encompasses so many different things all at once (including, at times, escapades in electronica), that it would take me a long time to truly uncover the different layers of meaning held within. On the other hand, maybe it doesn’t mean anything. What it is is enjoyable, full of energy, a hell of a lot of fun and totally unlike anything else around. Some feat.
