Search - Soehne Mannheims :: Noiz

Xavier Naidoo's Dark Night of the Soul

A. Hickman | Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria | 03/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If there's any justice in the world, this should prove to be a breaktrough album for Xavier Naidoo, for it is Naidoo, an Afro-German musician and songwriter, who is the creative force behind "Noiz" (Zion spelled backwards), a work that, while it is extremely personal, contains enough immediatley ingratiating music to be universal in its appeal. I remember being haunted by Naidoo's "Wo willst du hin?," which was a major hit on European MTV a few years back, and wondering what it might take for him to reach an audience in America. "Noiz" may just be the answer. Recently, I had occasion to be in Berlin, and I was gratified to hear his unmistakable, sweet yet passionate voice on MTV once again, only this time in the service of a group called Soehne Mannheims (Sons of Mannheim). The song: "Und wenn ein Lied." I rushed out to buy the CD. The lyrics on "Noiz" are credited to Naidoo, but he co-writes most of the music, often with Michael Herberger. One reason the album might get some play this side of the Atlantic is that the "rap" portions of the lyrics (not to mention the anthemic "Can You Feel It?) are sung in English, as on "Babylon System." Also, Naidoo is obviously exploring his dark night of the soul on "Noiz," which deals primarily with spriritual matters. Take for example this lyric (in English) from "Koenig der Koenige" (King of Kings): Calling the king / Scream his name out loud. / Calling my lord / I hope he hears me out." Christian music is a big niche market in America, and this may be the best of its type I've heard. Add to it Naidoo's beautiful voice (he's as smooth as Sam Cooke on songs like "Im interesse unserer Gemeinschaft") and a couple of sure crowd-pleasers like "Ich geh mit dir" and "Und wenn ein Lied," with their eminently hummable hooks, and Naidoo may just have a hit on his hands. If only American audiences are canny enough to catch on."

Awesome CD

S. Gale | Germany | 11/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I live in Germany and heard two songs from Noiz on the radio. I had to go out and buy the CD. I recommend this CD to anyone. The music is great. I am learning German so I don't know the lyrics well, but you don't need to in order to enjoy this CD. I feel that this is a CD that could have all of the tracks on airplay. I am so tired of buying CD's that have only a few good songs (when will the artist learn that we are smarter than they give us credit for?). This one is well worth it! I stopped buying CD's a few years ago. This one was worth the money."

Wow

M. Motley | germany | 03/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I live in Germany, and even though I have no clue what the words mean, I still love that one song, Und Wenn Ein Lied, and everytime I hear it, the radio goes on fullblast. I am not sure about the rest of the album, but I am impressed with the single. I suggest it to anyone, b/c I am about to purchase it myself right now."