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Humanoid By Tokio Hotel
by Monica Davies
4/5
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.
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Thanks for the great review, Monica! I mostly agree with all your points.
But I don’t think there are points where the music is too far removed from its audience. The Tokio Hotel audience varies wildly. Also, I don’t think the music doesn’t go that far outside the norm.
I’d also mention “Dogs Unleashed” as a great anthemic track that will be awesome performed live in a big arena.
I love this album and can’t wait for the tour!!!
I’m happy that you gave Humanoid such a great review. It’s a beautiful album, and I loved your pick of songs that stood out. I would just have to add PhantomRider to that list. And I totally agree with how Hey You is anthemic. I can’t wait to hear it in concert along with the rest of the album.
Thanks for actually listening to the album and writing a thoughtful review. I hope you can see the band in concert live some day, as that is where they really shine.
Thank you for the wonderful review! I’m glad you took the time to actually listen to the album and from that form your opinion. I don’t think the music is far removed from the audience since Tokio Hotel has an eclectic fan base. I loved your choices of songs and Alien and Dogs Unleashed are some of my faves.
nice review about the album… Humanoid is awesome
Great review of the album. Actually, one of the best I’ve seen. Most reviewers take one look at the band, at the lead singer, declares that he looks like a girl, and BAM! Just like that, ends the review, with barely a note on what the music sounded like. Your review is great however, and it shows that you actually listened to the album.
My favourite track has to be Pain of Love, but I like most of your choices too, especially ‘Hey You’ and ‘World Behind my Wall’.
‘Tookkioo HotteeL’ 4 EvveeR..â
Thank you for the great review. Humanoid is a very amazing album, that has been on repeat for my family since we got it. We really love this albume, and can wait to see them in concert!
Awesome reiew, thank you for actually taking your time to listen to it and making your opininon because of their music and not their looks like some others.
Great review. Tokio Hotel is awesome.
Nice review. I particularly agree about the Humans becoming part machine bit.
By the way, the song Humanoid is AWESOME to listen to in your car! *___*
Excellent review! It’s very refreshing to read an actual review about Tokio Hotel, as most of them are always based on the way they look.
Cool review! One of the better ones I’ve read. I love that you mentioned that they have something to say with this album and I agree completely. This album is definitely a more mature step in their careers and I couldn’t be more proud of them.
LIEK TH FOR EVASZ OMGZZ~~~ <3 ichliebethembillakljf LUV U GREGOR UND GUNTHERRR!!
Marry MEEEEEEEEEEEEE â
Good review! Thanks for mentioning the U.S. special edition for those who were unaware.
great review Tokio hotel is amazing and everyone that doesnt own a copy of humanoid should run to the nearest bestbuyor hottopic and buy 5 copies of humanoid im am so happy to read this postive and great review!!!!! 😀
Thank you for thought through review. I might not agree with everything you are saying, but at least you have a thoughtfull arguments. But “Love and Death” is strong track in your opinion? Really? Weakest of all in the album in imo.
Thank you for thought through review. I might not agree with everything you are saying, but at least you have a thoughtfull arguments. But “Love and Death” is strong track in your opinion? Really? Weakest of all in the album in imo.
loved this album..good review 🙂
Thank you for thought through review. I might not agree with everything you are saying, but at least you have a thoughtfull arguments. But “Love and Death” is strong track in your opinion? Really? Weakest of all in the album in imo.
amazing album..good review..its great to see you reviewing their music..instead of talking about bills hair
Nice review ;).
good review! Thanks for talking about the music not just Bill’s hair!
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.
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!
Nice review ! it’s an amazing album !!! thanks for making a good review !
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.
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!
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.
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.
“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.
Interesting take.
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.