Search - Nena :: Feuer & Flamme

Decent album from this underrated New Wave artist

M. B. Link | USA | 10/18/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Feuer & Flamme (1985). Nena's third studio album.Nena was one of those new wave artists back in the mid 80s in which the only thing people can associate her with is her only hit, the German war protest song '99 Luftballoons'. Her band did hit a high point with that song back then, but unfortunately like other one-hit-wonder artists such as A Flock Of Seaguls, her other music is VASTLY underrated. People only acknowledge that one overplayed hit and ignore everything else she's done. YOU PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MISSING!After she scored the famous hit, Nena (also known as Gabriella Kerner) may have disappeared from the popular music scene, but proceeded to create a few more albums in the years to come. She never hit the same success as with 99 Luftballoons, but her music took no hit in quality whatsoever. We arrive in 1985 to her third studio album, and arguably the best one. The only tough part about listening to this album is that unlike the previous album, unless you understand fluent German or know someone who understands it, you aren't going to have any clue as to what she's saying. I still don't understand anything, but the songs are no less catchy. Thankfully, another reviewer took the time to translate the song titles. Nena's voice is somewhat of an acquired taste. I still haven't completely gotten used to it yet and I know there are many better female vocalists out there, but at the same time her vocals aren't bad either. Here's Feuer & Flamme:1) Utopia- A straight ahead pop number with catchy hooks abound. There's an interesting saxaphone solo later in the song. 9/102) Haus Der Drei Sonnen- A mid paced melodic pop track with latin drum patterns played in certain parts of the song. Very good. 9/103) Jun Wie Du- The uplifting rocker which gets in your head and has a tough time letting go. Great usage of guitar and keyboards here. One of the album's highlights. 10/104) Ein Brief- A slow techno ballad of sorts. This track has a great melody, though it doesn't stand out as much as some of the others here. 8/105) Feur Und Flamme- Very much like Jun Wie Du, but quite a bit catchier. The keyboards used in the second verse gives this song sort of an Asian vibe to it. I like it when bands employ influences from other cultures. 9/106) Gestern Nacht- A purely pop song employing yet another culture's style. Kind of reminds me of Miami Sound Machine. Worth a listen, but nothing to noteworthy. 7/107) Das Alte Lied- A very strange track with schizoid verses and an odd chorus. Definite album filler. 6/108) Du Kennst Die Liebe Nicht- Another slow track, but with much less keyboards than track 4. It's okay but a little lightweight for my taste. 6/109) Es Wird Schon Weitergehn- Yet another slower track, though this time not a ballad. Still like the last track, it seems kind of like lightweight filler material. 7/1010) Irgendwie Irgendwo Irgendwann- After a long streak of side-long mediocre tracks, we arrive at the end, and thankfully it goes out with this moody masterpiece. Incredible synth build up at the beginning followed by a melodic rocker towards the end. Of all the tracks here, this one stands far and above as the best one. 10/10Though not a great album by many means, at least half of it consists of good new wave material which goes too often ignored in the tall shadow of her popular hit. 3 stars for all the great songs, but most of the second half isn't up to par with the rest. Only buy this album if you are a big fan of new wave pop or if you are interested in what Nena did besides 99 Luftballoons. This imported version is remastered very well and has a very affordable price on it, so if you get any version of this album at all, let this version be it. WORTH A LISTEN."

Review from a Philippine Nena Fan Who Comprehends German

Glenn | San Juan, Metropolitan Manila, Philippines | 06/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was the third album of the Nena band and it has a lot of variety in terms of more insightful and reflective songs aside from some spontaneous songs. "Feuer und Flamme" and "Das alte Lied" are what I would consider as spontaneous, while "Ein Brief", "Gestern Nacht", and "Es wird schon weitergehen" are more reflective songs. "Utopia", "Haus der drei Sonnen", "Jung wie du", "Du kennst die Liebe nicht", and "Irgendwie, irgendwo, irgendwann" are very insightful songs and I highly recommend this particular album because of the wealth of insight which one could derive from the overwhelming majority of its songs."

AWESOME CD!!

I. A. Pokk | USA | 02/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was only 12 when I got this LP in 1985 -- this was also the year when I saw Nena and the band in tour and they were promoting this CD (LP back then). I absolutely LOVE all the songs. In Gestern Nacht - Nena does a fabulous job in singing! Irgendwie is such a powerful song and Haus Der Drei Sonnen is such a unique, super song too! It took me a while to really appreciate Feuer & Flamme, but the song is super good too! This was clearly the band's highest and bestproduction..."