Review: The Fantastic Four – The Liechtenstein Tapes
Enwie Kej – THE LIECHTENSTEIN TAPES by DIE FANTASTISCHEN VIER is definitely one of the albums that we were particularly looking forward to at the start of the year. Because Michi Beck, Thomas D, Smudo and And.Ypsilon want to give their hits and classics a new look. You can read in our review whether this was successful.
The vinylist rated The Liechtenstein tapes with 4/5 stars
Video: The Fantastic Four – Die Da 2022
As soon as we open the cellophane film, we notice the nice grip of the record cover, which, like the inlay, shows impressions of the Little Big Beat Studios in Liechtenstein (hence the name The Liechtenstein tapes). Attention was paid to quality here, which also applies to the pressing of the vinyls. Due to the many pictures of the studio location, we can somehow put ourselves in the mood of the recording sessions. We like that.
The Fantastic Four – The Liechtenstein Tapes
Successful song selection
Without wanting to go into the individual titles now, what is particularly relevant for us when evaluating the record is the extent to which the theme of seeing the equally well-known titles in a “contemporary guise”. But even without answering the question now, the compilation of the songs is very successful and can be described as an absolute “Fanta 4 Best Of“by. Surely one or the other would rather have seen individual personal favourites, but with the selected 15 tracks the fantasies are certainly on the same page as their fans.
The Fantastic Four on The Vinylist
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concert report – Fanta 4 in Frankfurt 2022
New Fanta Album – Forever 30 Years Live
concert report – Festhalle Frankfurt 2019
interview – The Vinylist with Thomas D.
Together – The Fantas feat. Notice
What does contemporary actually mean?
Let’s get to the Gretchen question: Are the songs “contemporary”? Ok, here we should first consider what actually means contemporary. The Fantas themselves define it like this: “The songs should sound mature, mature, but never aged.” Well, there is still a certain leeway. For us, a perfect studio sound is particularly relevant here, plus possibly small variations that don’t change the character of the song in the long term. But enough of the preamble, let’s listen to the Liechtenstein bands from The fantastic Four.
mission accomplished
When we got the album opener Kind regards listen, there is hardly any difference to the original 1999 version. But something is different. When listening again, also in comparison with the original version, we notice it. The sound is much clearer and also has more bang (or bass) than the voices of Michi Beck, Thomas D and smut actually sound older, uh, more mature. There are also additional sound effects, for example in the intro, and minimal melody variations in the chorus. However, all of this is so subtle that it can hardly be made out in detail, but overall the song actually gets a fresh cell cure. And this principle runs through the entire album and in this respect fulfills our claim of “small variations without lasting changes in character”.
Anyone who expects the songs to be completely reinterpreted will certainly be a little disappointed at this point, but that was probably never the claim on this record. And even those who expected something else will be delayed when they hear the first sounds of Yes Yes Yes to be caught again anyway. We would then like to add a slightly larger variation to the song Troythe one in the outro with a 2 minute Golden Rider-Envelope of Joachim Witt shines. That’s a little unexpected pearl hidden there.
Review Die Fantastischen Vier – The Liechtenstein Tapes
Fulfill in our review The Liechtenstein tapes from The fantastic Four meets our expectations. The high-quality vinyl presents a clean sound that can actually be interpreted as “dusted off” and Michi Beck, Thomas D, smut and And.Ypsilon present their great hits fresh and relaxed. We award 4/5 stars for a successful rejuvenation.
Tracklist The Fantastic Four – The Liechtenstein Tapes
- MfG – Yours sincerely (2022)
- Yes Yes Yes (2022)
- Thanks (2022)
- The Picnic (2022)
- End Times Mood (2022)
- Reap What We Sow (2022)
- Just Be (2022)
- She’s Gone (2022)
- Day at the Sea (2022)
- Warrior (2022)
- Hitsn (2022)
- Die there!?! (2022)
- Troy (2022)
- Popular (2022)
- together feat. Note (2022)
Surf Tips The Fantastic Four
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