Search - Kmfdm :: Naive (Unedited Wax Trax! Original Pressing)

Strangely, i would recommend this to kmfdm firstimers

Ryan Lovejoy | 05/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"even though this ultra-rare album is most likely to be bought by kmfdm fanatics/completists, i would say that this is the album that showcases kmfdm's style differences the best. at first i was skeptical about buying this because i felt that the 5-star rating were due to the amount of money forked over for it. i threw out a significant amount of money for this album and it hasn't disappointed one bit..even if you have the re-release, hell to go, i would recommend this...anyways, this album basically showcases the sounds of kmfdm up to their "nihil" album....for instance, the song "naive" will appeal to fans of the money album...go to hell and godlike will appeal to the metalhead fans of angst and nihil....their is a live version of don't blow your top's "disgust." the "virus dub" will appeal to the UAIOE people...liebesleid and achtung will appeal to the dancey fans who found beast and juke joint jezebel great...the album even has some unique flavor of its own...die now live later and friede are unique compared to anything else they have done.



i hate to sound like im bragging about having this ultra expensive album, but sadly it is an essential in my book....hell to go will suffice if you are a small spender though!..or at least wait until this is re-released."

One of the 2 KMFDM albums I'd give 5 stars

The Pitiful Anonymous | the Acres of Skin | 01/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nihil being the best of KMFDM's 'ultra heavy beat'/industrial metal days, Naive is the best (meaning most consistent) of their earlier period. Most KMFDM albums have a fair share of filler songs and guest appearances that are occasionally bad and ruin the feel of the album (Dogma, Anarchy). Early KMFDM was often repetitive, boring and pointless.



This album marked a transition into an emphasis on heavy, dancable beats and bass, catchy lyrics and for the first time coherent song structures. The production is vastly improved from their early efforts- the drum sounds kick, although guitars are still way too low in the mix, a problem that continued all the way up until Nihil. Played through good speakers this album grooves like no other. Sascha's vocals are monotone and lazy, little aggression or energy compared to the KMFDM of later days. This makes Naive a great chill out record.



Most of the songs follow a similar formula- catchy bass/beat with overlaid Sascha chant and occasional clean or distorted guitar, switching between 'verse' and 'chorus'. "Achtung", "Die Now- Live Later" and the funky "Virus" are my personal favorites.



"Go to Hell" is an anthem that hints at what would be unleashed on 1993's "Angst" and beyond. "Liebeslied" has less minimalism then the rest, augmenting the sound with string samples and catchy synth melodies. This song is rightful considered an industrial classic. "Disgust" is an older song that sounds infinitely better on this album (in live form). The parts have been almost totally rewritten from the "Don't Blow Your Top" version.



A complete, spacy and fun early KMFDM album, and one of the best dance albums of all time. "Money" continued in this sound with some more great songs, but wasn't long enough."