Band:	The Young Gods
Album:	Super Ready / Fragmente
Style:	Industrial metal
Release date:	April 16, 2007
A review by:	jupitreas

01. I'm The Drug
02. Freeze
03. C'est Quoi C'est Ca
04. El Magnifico
05. Stay With Us
06. About Time
07. Machine Arriere
08. The Color Code
09. Super Ready / Fragmente
10. Secret
11. Everywhere
12. Un Point C'est Tout

I'll have to admit that it took me a while to properly process this Young Gods release. Of course, this is to be expected from a band that is known for their originality and unique way of making music; however, Super Ready / Fragmente also happens to be a fairly varied and complex album in its own right. It simply isn't as focused as the Gods' previous records - it lacks the immediate metallic crunch of TV Sky, the harshness of Second Nature or the baroque weirdness of L'Eau Rouge. Still, it is a listenable and often quite inspired rock record that should provide satisfactory multiple listens for any industrial aficionado.

Although Super Ready / Fragmente doesn't particularly stray from the Young Gods' trademark formula (ie. music that is largely sampled and electronic but nevertheless sounds almost like a live band), the band does allow themselves some creative experimentation and sonic detours. "Stay With Us" is a trippy, psychedelic ambient number that greatly differs from the metallic punch of "I'm The Drug", for example. Franz Teichler still utilizes his Jim Morrison-like voice and sings somewhat campy lyrics in English (I can't comment on the French lyrics on this album since I don't speak the language, and they amount to a good half of the lyrics here). Still, while the lyrics might be a little bit of a sore point for this album, the music itself is still mightily impressive. The Gods are master sound sculptors and their deconstructive approach to recording and songwriting is very evident here, clearly proving that they deserve their celebrated position as one of the most influential industrial bands of all time. And hey - songs like "I'm The Drug", "Everywhere" and "Freeze" still represent a style of industrial rock/metal that no other band is capable of producing. The fact that most of the other songs here are a little bit too meandering for their own good does not really take away from this good impression - it is simply required to listen to this album carefully a few times in order to properly stomach them.

Super Ready / Fragmente might not be the Young Gods' best album and it is sometimes a little unfocused; however, I still think it is an example of innovative and exciting music, even if slightly flawed. Definitely worth checking out.