Katzenjammer – Le Pop (Nettwerk)
Katzenjammer are something of an oddity in today’s shiny pop world. Described by their label as a ‘female Gogol Bordello meets Old Crow Medicine Show” it’s unlikely that anything but a loyal cult following awaits this Norwegian quartet. There are worse things, of course.

The group’s mish-mash of European folk, Klezmer, traditional dance tunes and loose punk will undoubtedly find admirers and it’s not too far into “A Bar In Amsterdam” when I’m startled to discover that I’m one of them. It’s Polka vibe and incessant energy gets my feet tapping and puts a huge Cheshire cat grin on my face. It’s followed by “Demon Kitty Rag”, an excuse to get a banjo out, and “Tea With Cinnamon”, which is more sedate, though it still sounds like an oompah band parping away in the background. Further thrills arrive later in the shape of “Play My Darling Play” and the effervescent title track.

I imagine live on stage, they’re a shambolic tour de force, and I’m sure next summer they’ll be stomping all over festival stages. Until then I’ll settle happily for Le Pop.
www.myspace.com/katzenjammerne
Simon M.

KATZENJAMMER – A BAR IN AMSTERDAM

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