EMIGRATE EMIGRATE ALBUM MOTOR, UNIVERSAL RELEASE: AUGUST 31, 2007 REVIEW: NOVEMBER 28, 2007

Is it or isn't it like Rammstein? That is the question everyone has been asking about and hopefully by now has had answered by Emigrate. Musically it is very akin to the parent band, lyrically, it is in... get ready for this, English.

That's right everyone, the bombastic vocals of Mr. Kruspe's other band have been removed from the equation and replaced with a nice solid whiny warble. There's a power balled on this debut entitled "Babe" which makes me convulse with laughter. No one can possibly be this sincere and ernest about such things on record anymore. It isn't the 80:s after all, please bear in mind.

The chords are all there, the production tricks, IE tinkly key lines and big fat basslines feature prominently, but Emigrate do not sound different enough from the Steinn to serve a purpose for me. They are rather, Rammstein-lite. None of the aggression or nihilism has carried over onto "Emigrate". I wonder how many times Spinal Tap was either watched or listened to during the making of this album.

Perhaps our hero Mr. Kruspe had this hatful of tunes written when the rest of the boys said '"no thanks" and hence this album is now with us. Here's hoping the next Rammstein is a bit more engaging than both the last one and this rather unneeded solo excursion.

Keep these songs in the demo stage next time please, they evaporate in the harsh light of day.

PETER MARKS