Posted on: November 22, 2010 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Duo 505 – Walzer Oder Nicht
(Release 21.01.2011; USA: 15.02.2011)

Forget about lyrics to convey feelings or moods: It’s all in the music, in the melodies, its harmonies. After all, these tracks don’t need words to say a whole lot. The same is true of their genesis: Bernhard Fleischmann and Herbert Weixelbaum hardly discussed any ideas or musical concepts while in the studio. Instead, these tracks simply emerged while they were playing together; the melodies grew out of a wordless conversation, an exchange of sounds and notes. This newfound collaborative spirit lies at the heart of “Walzer Oder Nicht”: the various tracks and layers intertwine and complement each other on a whole new level. That’s how a song like “No Mail” came about, a track whose inner logic and intricate composition manage to captivate the listener entirely. Yet, it’s not just the interlocking density that’s new, as Duo 505 present a whole new set of arrangements: above all, Fleischmann and Weixelbaum added guitars to the mix, which in turn means that the Roland MC-505 is no longer the predominant element of their sound. This, however, doesn’t affect the fundamental nature of Duo 505’s music: “Walzer Oder Nicht” ultimately shows that their tracks work both as acoustic and electronic versions. Duo 505’s new recordings are somewhat reminiscent of Velvet Underground (at their catchiest), of Yo La Tengo’s sense of melody, or the kind of ballads Brian Eno or Zach Condon are known for. Make no mistake: Even though “Walzer Oder Nicht” certainly has its noisier moments, some Tall Dwarfs-style clank and clatter even, the new album is even more thoughtful, quiet and warm-hearted than its predecessors. An album that evokes childlike enthusiasm with its magnificent melodies.

www.myspace.com/duo505

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