Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and think, "I'm not going to make it," but you laugh inside—remembering all the times you felt that way. Charles Bukowski The press release for their first album pretty much said everything there is to say about Schneckenkönich, and perhaps everything that should be said. Working-class hippie rock still perfectly describes their sound, and with their second album, "Alright," they continue in the same vein. Their seemingly timeless, unpretentious street rock blends raw Americana highway vibes with blues and psych influences, all without unnecessary gestures or fake frills. This always manages to ignite new waves of enthusiasm in me. Perhaps it's because their music is self-sufficient, or rather, completely self-contained. It demands nothing from the listener except to be fully present. It sounds banal, but since Germany doesn't exactly have a pub rock tradition, it's sometimes difficult to convey the beauty found in this simplicity. Schneckenkönich play the kind of music that bars crave and need. Music that could be the perfect soundtrack to Barbet Schroeder's brilliant film "Barfly," as it feels a deep connection to those social groups that are marginalized in every society, forgotten, and voiceless, or at least lack the strength to raise their voices. It's precisely here that the songs can unleash their full power. To be clear, Schneckenkönich don't play a resigned sound, but rather confront the bleakness of our existence and the failures of life with genuine compassion and understanding. Their songs listen and offer hope without feigning false hope. They don't leave you alone at the bar. They create a sense of belonging where belonging no longer exists. PS: Like the music, the artwork is also handmade; thank you to ClayClaim, Simon Haase, and his entire team for that.
