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May 23, 2013

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Humanoid By Tokio Hotel

Humanoid By Tokio Hotel

By Monica Davies

11/03/2009

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Moody German rock group Tokio Hotel, who you may have heard of and who you’re likely to have mistaken for a girl group at least once, have just released their second full-length English album. “Humanoid” marks an attempt to break into the U.S. music market properly. It’s a 12 track (or 16 if you get the U.S. special edition) collection of stomping beats and melodramatic vocals that definitely singles the young band out as having something to say with their music, instead of simply singing along to some pretty-sounding tunes.

Most of the songs have a vibe that wouldn’t surprise anyone familiar with your typical German band - they’re slightly heavy, somewhat industrial sounding, and the songs are filled with synthesized vocals. But when the songs really get soaring, like the first single, “Automatic,” and “Darkside Of The Sun,” they really are great to listen to. “Forever Now” and “Hey You” are also particularly anthemic tunes.

However, there are points where the idea gets too much and the quartet ends up sounding like a Rammstein/Tori Amos collaboration where the beats are to heavy and the music too far removed from its audience. Although, it is fitting for the overall concept of the album that these seriously industrial tracks are titled “Human Connect To Human” and the title track, “Humanoid,” making the album’s idea that humans are becoming part machine come across quite effectively.

Other strong tracks include “Love And Death,” “Screamin,’” and the atmospheric “World Behind My Wall.”

After a couple of listens, it becomes clear that “Humanoid” shows off a darker side to Tokio Hotel’s music, and while it may not have the musical attractiveness of their previous English album it sure does leave an imprint in your mind. Buy it if you’re looking to explore new and original alt-rock bands.

 

Comments

  • Default user image

    This was a pretty well developed review. I can tell you actually listened to the album.

    But have to disagree with the "musical attractiveness" of Scream. Don't get me wrong, that album was great too, but the musical maturity and growth that the band underwent in order to create Humanoid makes it surpass Scream, imo.

    - Posted by digga @ 11/09/09, 11:35 pm

  • Default user image

    Interesting take.

    - Posted by hquinn @ 11/05/09, 04:36 am

  • Default user image

    "it may not have the musical attractiveness of their previous English album"

    I totally agree with that statement. Although I do really like this album, musically Scream was a better fit for me. I get what you are saying about the title track "Humanoid" being conceptual, but that song totally rocks!

    Thanks for a well thought out review. You are a rarity among album reviewers in that you seem to have actually listened to the music before reviewing it. Rolling Stone should take a lesson from you.

    - Posted by Brent @ 11/04/09, 09:50 pm

  • Default user image

    Thanks for the review and for really taking the time out to listen to the whole album. I get the feeling that most reviwers look at th ecover and then write the review of whatever album they need to review. I love humanoid. Phantomrider (I am amazed it ended up as one of the bonus songs) and Pain of Love are my absolute favourite of the album.

    - Posted by mikaelah @ 11/03/09, 10:49 pm

  • Default user image

    Thanks for the great review! Its nice to hear someones opinoin, by a person who actually listened to the album, and not just skimmed and/or skipped over it.

    - Posted by Dacia @ 11/03/09, 06:20 pm

  • Default user image

    I agree so much with this review. Humanoid is by far the most thought-out album TH has made, and I can't wait to see how they'll continue to develop. Thanks for the great review!

    - Posted by Augustina @ 11/03/09, 05:49 pm

  • Default user image

    This is a great review!!! Very fair, educated, concise and helpful! Thank you so much! I love the album very much-- I'm stuck on it.

    - Posted by Quill @ 11/03/09, 05:26 pm

  • Default user image

    Nice review ! it's an amazing album !!! thanks for making a good review !

    - Posted by Sharon ! @ 11/03/09, 04:03 pm

  • Default user image

    Thanks for the positive review. I think this album really shows how these young men have matured in the last two years. Your last paragraph was perfect. I think this album is awesome!

    - Posted by Buffy @ 11/03/09, 04:01 pm

  • Default user image

    Thank you for the fair and unbiased review. I agree that this album is darker than the previous ones, but it does befit the band's current mood. The album is very well executed.

    - Posted by ThinAir @ 11/03/09, 03:25 pm

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