Herbert Grönemeyer - I Walk review
Posted by Nade on Mon, 08 Oct 2012.
"I Walk" is the first UK album release for German artist Herbert Grönemeyer. The album features a mixture of Grönemeyer's previous songs translated to English and rerecorded and new material written especially for the album.
The songs read almost as a "greatest hits" album, although to describe it solely as such would do Grönemeyer an injustice. With previous works outselling Michael Jackson in Germany, and an album that has been certified gold 21 times over, it's apparent that there is far, far more material that could have been added to "I Walk" if album length were not an issue.
Mensch, the opener for the album has been reworked from its German original into English, wins the award for standout track, using funky hooks and riffs to draw you in. A bonus version of Mensch featuring Bono on guest vocals is a refreshing and enjoyable take on the track.
All that I need and Will I ever learn with their introspective lyrics and poignant piano accompaniment are perfect examples of how a ballad should be.
Honourable mention go to Airplanes in my head, which was first recorded as Flugzeuge im Bauch on Grönemeyer's breakthrough album telling the tale of a relationship gone wrong, has a raw emotional feel, with the retrospective retelling making the lyrics seem ever more relatable.
"I Walk" is a breathtaking slice of honesty, truth and life. Lost in translation? Not this time...