Review DRITTE WAHL ‘Urlaub in der Bredouille’

Rostock-based punk rock veterans Dritte Wahl worked on a new album which will see the light of day in December 2023. The band, that started back in 1988, premiered four years later and released several longplayers of which ‘Urlaub in der Bredouille’ is the newest effort.

Dritte Wahl place ten songs on the tracklist and each of these tunes is a little highlight in itself. Hereby stands out that not only the music bridges punk, rock and catchiness. The band also pays attention to lyrics which becomes apparent right in the beginning. ‘Wir schießen die Milliardäre ins All’ addresses the competition of some billionaires in exploring the outer space. There is the ironic undertone though which gives the song a wide space for interpretation like the world might being a better place with these guys remaining in the orbit.

Fast and rebellious is who ‘Simulation’ blasts out of the speakers before the throbbing title track with its hypnotic rhythm has a captivating expression. Lyrics are here important too. The song is about the entire mistreat of planet Earth and the sensationalism of visiting the self-created wasteland.

‘Panama’ reflects on a serious topic too. The rich saving and hiding their money in Panana, that is the point of the song, combined with some pop-like keys and a catchy chorus. But there is although some willpower embedded on ‘Urlaub in der Bredouille’. ‘Keine Zeit für weiße Fahnen’ is a song about not giving up and not giving in. It is a rebellious song leading to the socio-critical ‘Das regelt der Markt’.

Another Song with a message of overcoming obstacles is called ‘Steine im Weg’. Barriers are there to overcome them and make you stop. That is the message. With a horn section ‘Der Spion’ has a bit of another touch and feel. Yet, the track fits excellently into the context of the album, followed by ‘Statistik’. The latter heralds the final chapter of ‘Urlaub in der Bredouille’ and is more of a swinging punk rock tune. ‘Statistik’ isn’t a bad song but there are better ones on the album.

Dritte Wahl shows with ‘Urlaub in der Bredouille‘ why they belong to the spearheads of contemporary German punk rock. The album unfolds its addictive brilliance already while spinning the longplayer for the first time. The ones with a rebellious mind, loving excellent songs and relevant lyrics should check-out this excellent piece of work.