Artist: Deine Lakaien Album: Crystal Palace

Year: 2014
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of Deine Lakaien's Crystal Palace Album

Deine Lakaien, a German electronic darkwave duo, caught the attention of music enthusiasts with their album Crystal Palace. The album was released in 1999 and is one of the most critically acclaimed albums in their discography. Deine Lakaien's music is characterized by a fusion of electronic and classical instruments, accompanied by Alexander Veljanov's baritone vocals and Ernst Horn's keyboard skills. In this critique, we will take a closer look at the Crystal Palace album, the genre, the best songs, the innovative parts, and offer a critical analysis of the album as a whole.

The Crystal Palace album spans twelve tracks and is a combination of orchestral, electronic, and gothic rock music. The songs are dark, atmospheric, and melancholic, with each track telling a different story. The album's genre is commonly classified as electronic/darkwave, which is characterized by a fusion of classical and electronic music with dark and moody lyrics. Deine Lakaien's unique sound, coupled with Alexander Veljanov's haunting voice, makes Crystal Palace an instant classic.

The standout track on the album is Nightfall. The song starts with atmospheric instrumentals and a keyboard melody that evokes a feeling of darkness and isolation. Veljanov's deep and soulful voice perfectly matches the song's somber mood. The song has a chorus that is both unforgettable and haunting, leaving a lasting impression on the listener. Where You Are is another memorable track on the album. The song has a slow tempo with a melancholic feel, and Veljanov's mournful vocals add to the somber tone of the track. The orchestration in the chorus of the song adds a layer of complexity to the track.

The most innovative part of Crystal Palace is the fusion of classical instruments with electronic soundscapes. The use of brass instruments, strings, and cellos in some of the tracks, combined with electronic beats, creates a unique level of depth and personality to the songs. The instrumentation in the tracks Supermarket, Over And Done, and Return creates a dystopian atmosphere, which adds to the overall feel of the album.

Despite the strengths of the album, it is not without flaws. One of the criticisms of Crystal Palace is the inconsistency in the quality of the tracks. The first half of the album is strong, but the second half of the album dips in quality. While Where You Are and Nightfall stand out, some tracks like Resurrection Machine and Don't Wake Me Up don't offer the same level of depth and emotion. This inconsistency may be a weakness of the album, but it doesn't detract from the overall experience.

In conclusion, Crystal Palace is a masterpiece and a must-have for fans of electronic and darkwave music. The album combines electronic beats, classical instruments, and mournful vocals to produce a unique and moody sound that has stood the test of time. The standout tracks on the album are Nightfall and Where You Are, while the instrumentals in Supermarket, Over And Done, and Return add to the album's overall sound. Though some tracks feel weaker, they do not detract from the overall experience of the album. In the end, Crystal Palace is a testament to the uniqueness and innovation of Deine Lakaien, and it is an essential listen for lovers of dark and moody music.