Klee

I write this post for my sister, who sent me a mix of crazy German pop. I don’t want her to not have heard of Klee. It’s a public service post! I feel good for doing my civic duty.

I miss a lot of music because it’s sung in a different language. For instance, I don’t listen to japanese pop or Sigur Ros, because no matter how beautiful the music is, it just bugs me that I can’t understand what they’re saying. One of my goals in life was to learn every language on the globe, but I fell pretty short, and I definitely don’t speak Icelandic. But! I used to speak German pretty well, so I could definitely give German music a try.

Problem is, of course, that German pop is pretty sub-standard. Or at least, that’s what I’ve always thought … but Klee is not substandard, so I have to question my assumption. Klee is superstandard (isn’t that the opposite of substandard? Heh). Suzie Kerstgens, the lead, has a beautiful voice and the ability to sing in two languages; no small accomplishment. I spent a little time as a translator (admittedly, I wasn’t very good at it) and it’s difficult. But Kerstgens manages to make “wir werden wie Gold sein” to turn perfectly into “we would be so golden.”

Klee’s album “Jelängerjelieber” is being released in the US on Minty Fresh records as “Honeysuckle.” Three of the songs have been translated into English: “Für Alle, Die” as “This Is For Everyone”; “Gold” as … “Gold”; and “Tausendfach” as “A Thousand Ways.” The rest of it is in German, and I recommend it. I prefer “Für Alle, Die” in German (I can still understand a bit of it :D). Go forth and listen! And have some Mentos while you’re at it (that’s what “minty fresh” reminds me of — all the Mentos I used to have my friend Maria buy for me in sixth grade, back when Mentos weren’t available in every gas station on the planet.)

Klee: Myspace | Site | Label (Minty Fresh)

[These tracks have been removed. You can contact me if you'd like a copy.]
Klee – Gold (English)
Klee – Für Alle, Die