Wunderbaren Jahren - Sportfreunde Stiller

Wunderbaren Jahren - Sportfreunde Stiller

3:21

So wie einst Real Madrid, 2000

Written by Peter Brugger

I couldn't find much about this German band, but this is some good old, fun-sounding, fast-paced indie rock with guitar, crashing high percussion, what seems to be an organ, and pub-singalong vocals.  It's a song about wonderful past years with friends, the halcyon times, with opportunities that shone bright but may not have been taken.

Dein viel zu lautes Leben - Treptow

Dein viel zu lautes Leben - Treptow

4:11

single, 2018

Written by Treptow?

Not sure if Treptow is a person or a band; either way, this is indie rock with pounding drums and raw, impassioned vocals.  It's another one of those songs that seems to be about grabbing on to life and living it to the fullest ("too loud life").  It describes a last day together on the beach with someone who may be a lover, or possibly a child; there's a line about growing up quietly.  They're escaping the noise of life and escaping to nature, becoming playful.  "Wir spielen Fange in den Dünen / und lachen uns die Nächte schön / du wringst dir Wasser aus den Haaren."

Sommertag - Gisbert Zu Knyphausen

Sommertag - Gisbert Zu Knyphausen

2:42

Gisbert Zu Knyphausen, 2008

Written by Gisbert Zu Knyphausen?

What a name!  I've never heard of this German singer-songwriter, but this song is a great blend of melody and rock.  The lyrics, as far as I understand them, seem to be about how life can be overwhelming with all its heartache and noise, but it's fleeting and it can be beautiful ("es ist ein wunderschöner Sommertag"), so all we can do is try to grasp at togetherness, take a breath and move on.

Ganz klar gegen Nazis - Wizo

Ganz klar gegen Nazis - Wizo

3:30

Punk gibt's nicht umsonst (Teil III), 2014

Written by Wizo? 

I'm passingly familiar with this German punk band, and I'd say this is their best song by miles.  With a churning, aggressive drumbeat and blunt-force guitars, and lyrics decrying all manner of fascism and oppression, to me it's the epitome of what Teutonic punk should be.  It's the kind of song I would like to go on for another ten minutes.