Why the delicate sound of a dragonfly's wings beating, of all things? The title reflects a very freaky approach, musically, lyrically, and in every other way. It's no coincidence that the album's opening track is called "Freaky Freak . "
The music is completely original, unique, honest, and authentic. Schüller has come a big step closer to finding his own sound. The lyrics feature a string of strange and comical characters, shaped by the basic assumption that there really is nothing but freaks. Some know this, others suspect it and want to hide it.
On the other hand, the title suggests a focus on the delicate, on tenderness, on the smallest details, on emotion, and on love. But why a dragonfly then? That's a predator. Because the subtle stomping of a herbivorous rhinoceros sounds pretty stupid.
The songs are influenced by American songwriting, which ranges from folk to rock 'n' roll. Schüller recorded the album entirely on his own. Most of the songs are based on acoustic guitar fingerstyle picking. Added to this are a swirling space organ, reverbed slide guitars, the twanging Tele, a rich bass, and, this time, a more percussive drum kit. Above all, Schüller has found a way to appropriately cultivate his rich baritone.
Sources of inspiration include Robert Johnson, Radiohead, Einstürzende Neubauten, Jack White, Johnny Cash, and Nick Cave. Schüller doesn't simply copy; rather, he searches for something special, his own unique sound.
The lyrics offer unusual stories and intoxicating imagery. A diverse array of characters appears: the ecstatic ironing fetishist and the band playing White Christmas in the Arctic ( Freaky Freak ), the King of the Delta Blues in a deal with the devil (or was he simply incredibly hot?), the eccentric figures in the rundown HoodooVoodoo Hotel in New Orleans ( Room For Free ), a completely unhinged dancer playing with fire ( Until You Can't Dance Anymore ), the wanderer on the precipice between Dada and dementia ( A Taturanta Tomba ), the immortal vampires ( Only Lovers ), the sick world running a high fever, the intoxicated friends can't fly forever, and doing nothing in the pink clouds is sweet.
All of this is influenced by books (Clemens J. Setz, TC Boyle, Paul Auster, Arno Schmidt, Christian Kracht and many more), films (Jim Jarmusch: Only Lovers Left Alive and Julian Rosefeldt: Euphoria ) and somehow also by one's own life.
Schüller wrote the songs in Louisiana, Wales, Austria, Saarland and the Lower Rhine.
Call it subtle melancholy!
01 Freaky Freak
02 Rat-sharp
03 Room for Free
04 Dance
05 A Taturanta Tomba
06 Only Lovers
07 Fever
08 Wealth & Fame
09 Flying
10 Sweet idleness pink clouds
