"Four years after the last Console release Mono (DB 140CD/LP), it's time for some new vivid life signs of the famous Weilheim-based collective. This time, the new album titled Herself is a bit more of a solo attempt. Due to mastermind Martin Gretschmann's always-packed calendar, it's no surprise that first drafts of this album came to life on his laptop while on tour with The Notwist. The final recordings then took place in his studio together with singer Miriam Osterrieder and a bunch of electronic toys. Martin Gretschmann can be called -- in the best sense -- a creative factotum: The Notwist's electronic wizard since 1997, as well as member of the all-star combo 13&God (a collaboration by The Notwist and the Anticon hip-hoppers Themselves). Under his alter ego Acid Pauli, he not only performs extraordinary club sets but also brings some humor onto the minimal dancefloor. Herself is not a born-and-bred ambient album, but bristles with bright pop appeal. Gretschmann, the alchemist, synthesizes beats, sounds and samples, creating unpretentious melodies and atmospheres. Miriam Osterrieder's voice is much more present and smelts the sentiment between pop and ambient into simple, wonderful songs. Console has already caused quite a stir with their releases for different labels like the major Virgin as well as for seminal indies like Payola and Matador. They have made a live album, several radio plays, and have collaborated with Bjork, Tocotronic and Depeche Mode. After Mono and the re-release of the debut Pan Or Ama (DB 144CD), this album is another step in Console's esteemed band history.
