FUNKER VOGT – Navigator

No news and no real surprises from the headquarter of the Electro-front FUNKER VOGT in Hameln and I had a small déjà-vu when listening to their current, meanwhile 6th album since the band foundation middle of the 90ties, as I stood in a record shop 7 years ago to listen among others to the new FUNKER VOGT Execution Tracks during an extensive listening session to test new CDs, which was normal those days, which I put back into the shelf, as all songs sounded alike. So, time for me to pick up the thread again in matter of FUNKER VOGT and Navigator after a long time of abstinence (beside the one or other small hit).
The sound of FUNKER VOGT has not really changed much, only some fine corrections in the course. The songs are smoother and easier to access and there are guitars to loosen up the sound structures in No Tomorrow, Starfighter and Vorwärts! which shows a little bit variety in the whole impression. Corresponding to the above mentioned déjà-vu tries Fallen Hero to follow up to the FUNKER VOGT hit Tragic Hero, which is not really successful concerning the hit potential. All in all Navigator offers a solid, well-produced in many parts stamping electro album with only small diversion and ups and downs – except the awful ballad Für Dich – to dance through, but taking the development in the electro-scene in the last years into consideration, everything seems to be frumpy and musically stagnant and some people will be sick of the omnipresent war theme of FUNKER VOGT.
FUNKER VOGT have always polarized and this will not change with Navigator. Either you like them, or you do not. True FUNKER VOGT fans will be happy with this album, but those who has been sceptic before will not be convinced by the guys from Hameln with Navigator, but positive approaches are there.