Album Details

• Artist: Schleusolz
• Album: The Weinheim Experiment
• Label: Unsigned
• Year of Release: 2010
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2010-06-05

The Weinheim Experiment is part of a two-fold album release by Germany's Schleusolz (the other half of which is the cinematic 10 Movies), both dropping in mid-July. From what I've been able to observe from both the music and information across the web, this duo is in the business of creating theatric soundtracks out of a very wide range of influences, mainly utilizing digital sound samples, drum machines, loops aplenty and much studio wizardry. The entirety of The Weinheim Experiment comes off as an overlapping palette of the duo's various influences, including some re-imaginings of other's works. The album as a whole is very hit-or-miss and there is a school of thought about albums like this, where one thinks almost every other song will appeal to the totally different tastes of any given individual. You may simultaneously love one track and loathe the next, as has been my experience.

Opener "Polyphobia" has a dark and edgy goth electronica feel to it, and it makes sense to introduce the album as it's one of the more well-written and concieved cuts it has to offer. "Sid Goes Dancing" is another early highlight, reminiscent of the sort of 70's discoteque stuff a lot of people might feel guilty about ever liking today...and maybe did then as well. Much of what follows these two tracks seems like filler, or just misfires of an honest nature. I am by no means a fan of electronic music of any sort beyond the more atmospheric and ambient varieties, but I can definitely see a fair amount of talent and creativity in all of these songs. But, for the most part, personal appeal is lost on me. 

I'm at a loss as far as comparisons go, but for some reason a lot of what Schleusolz does on The Weinheim Experiment reminds me of stuff Mike Patton would consider attaching himself to. Very circus-y, over the top and comical, even the more serious moments feel contrived and too extravagant. There is a lot to like here, and a purchase would definitely be recommended from myself if you're looking for a good time from a record and not much else. These guys go far out of their way to entertain, and they do it with enough creativity and spunk to prove their point. But if you're put off by anything resembling electronic music, you may want to keep your distance.

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