The fact that the Hamburg band "We don'tsuck, we blow!" has developed a special, tongue-in-cheek understatement over the course of a decade becomes abundantly clear after just a few bars on "Chimneys", their third studio album. Moments of jazz rock, fusion, metal, cool jazz, exotica, hip and trip-hop as well as lounge pop flow osmotically into each other here in just a few moments. You could add a lot of additional style terms, but everything that can be defined is taken ad absurdum by the band itself after a few moments. But this is not about blatant breaks, but about a togetherness that is based on mutual listening and acceptance of the big picture. The sextet succeeds in displaying a high degree of collective identity. They are all united by the will to permanently broaden their common and individual horizons. This bundled curiosity jumps out of every single note. Melodies, grooves, sounds, harmonic textures replace each other in rapid alternation, penetrate each other, pull the rug out from under each other's playful feet or ride merry-go-rounds together. This music only works so coherently because it is so diverse. The discursive openness of all six band members and their respective personal contributions creates a stable hexagon that is open to further influences. We don't suck, we blow! with their diverse influences, traditions, playing and listening styles, find a harmony that is rarely heard in this consistency.

Link to audio sample