Halber Mensch

For the film by Sogo Ishii with Einstürzende Neubauten, see Halber Mensch (film).
Halber Mensch
Studio album by Einstürzende Neubauten
Released 2 September 1985
Recorded 1983–1985
Genre Industrial, experimental
Length 35:32
Label Some Bizarre
Producer Gareth Jones, Einstürzende Neubauten
Einstürzende Neubauten chronology

Zeichnungen des Patienten O. T.
(1983)		 Halber Mensch
(1985)		 Fünf Auf der Nach Oben Offenen Richterskala (1987)

Halber Mensch (or ½ Mensch; English: Half Man) is the third studio album by German industrial band Einstürzende Neubauten. It was released on 2 September 1985, through record label Some Bizzare Records.

Background

Halber Mensch shows a wider artistic range for the group, incorporating elements of electronic dance music in "Yü-Gung (Fütter mein Ego)" and performing the title track (nearly) a cappella. The group also expands their dynamic range: Blixa Bargeld's voice in "Seele Brennt" suddenly switches from a barely audible whisper to a high-pitched scream, while quiet bass guitar overtones float over relatively restrained percussion in "Letztes Biest (am Himmel)".

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Einstürzende Neubauten, except as noted. 

Side A
No. TitleLyricsMusic Length
1. "Halber Mensch" ("Half Man")Blixa BargeldAlexander Hacke, Bargeld, F.M. Einheit, Mark Chung, N.U. Unruh, Nikkolai Weidemann 4:13
2. "Yü-Gung (Fütter Mein Ego)" ("Yü-Gung (Feed My Ego)")   7:14
3. "Trinklied" ("Drinking Song")   1:15
4. "Z.N.S." ("C.N.S.")   5:40
Side B
No. Title Length
1. "Seele Brennt" ("Soul Is Burning") 4:05
2. "Sehnsucht (Zitternd)" ("Desire (Trembling)") 2:55
3. "Der Tod Ist Ein Dandy" ("Death Is a Dandy") 6:41
4. "Letztes Biest (Am Himmel)" ("Last Beast (In the Sky)") 3:28

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic [1]

Trouser Press described Halber Mensch as "[Einstürzende Neubauten's] strongest record" and "truly remarkable".[2] AllMusic called it "an excellent feat of industrial music".[1]

Re-issue

In 2003, after a continuous conflict with Some Bizarre Records, the band released a remastered reissue of this album with another version of the cover.

Personnel

Einstürzende Neubauten
Additional personnel
  • Ma Gita – vocals
  • Monika – vocals
  • Sabrine – vocals
  • Verena – vocals
Technical
  • Gareth Jones – production, recording and mixing on all tracks except "Seele Brent"
  • Nainz Watts – engineering
  • Thomas Stern – engineering
  • Michael Zimmerling – recording and mixing on "Seele Brent"
  • Tim Young – mastering
  • Animal House – sleeve design
  • Vincent Huang – sleeve photography

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bush, John. "Halber Mensch – Einstürzende Neubauten : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  2. ↑ Sheridan, David; Fasolino, Greg; Robbins, Ira. "trouserpress.com :: Einstürzende Neubauten". trouserpress.com. Retrieved 2 March 2013.

External links