Unvergessen 2: A Chaotic Blast from Switzerland’s Past
Let’s get one thing straight—Alfred Rasser’s Unvergessen 2 isn’t your typical smooth jazz or pop record. Nah, this sucker’s a wild ride through genres like Stage & Screen and Non-Music, which sounds about as vague as it gets. Released in ‘77 under International Pick (a label that probably didn’t know what hit ‘em), this Swiss oddity feels more like an inside joke than a polished album. But hey, maybe that’s why it sticks to your brain like gum on a hot sidewalk.
First off, let’s talk tracks. “Dr Gaschtarbeiter” kicks things off with some kind of bizarre commentary on immigrant labor—you can practically smell the diesel fumes and hear the clanging tools. It’s raw, unfiltered, and honestly kinda uncomfortable. And yet? You can’t stop listening. The lyrics slap you in the face with their honesty, even if you don’t speak Swiss German fluently. This ain’t no love song; it’s a gritty snapshot of life back then, served cold.
Then there’s “Zürich By Night,” which is basically the polar opposite—a sleazy, neon-lit stroll through the city after dark. Imagine cheap cologne, flickering streetlights, and whispered deals going down in alleys. The track has this weird charm, like stumbling into a bar where everyone knows each other except you. It’s chaotic but magnetic, and damn if it doesn’t make you want to grab a drink and join the chaos.
The rest of the album follows suit, jumping between moods faster than a caffeinated squirrel. Tracks like “Hilfe, Hilfe” scream desperation while “Buona Sera” throws in random Italian flair for no apparent reason. It’s messy, disjointed, and at times downright baffling—but somehow, it works. Like, who else would think to mix accordion riffs with spoken word poetry? Only someone unhinged enough to pull it off, apparently.
Props to Walter Grieder for the graphics, though—they’ve got that retro DIY vibe that screams ‘70s without trying too hard. As for the production quality? Well, let’s just say it’s not exactly studio-perfect. But honestly, that rough-around-the-edges feel might be the whole point.
So here’s the kicker: Unvergessen 2 shouldn’t work. It breaks every rule in the book and then stomps on the pieces. Yet, it’s unforgettable in all the right ways. Maybe because it doesn’t try to be cool or polished—it just is. And that’s rare these days.
Final thought? Listening to this album feels like finding an old VHS tape in your grandparents’ attic. You don’t expect much, but once you press play, you’re hooked. Just don’t blame me when “Dr Gaschtarbeiter” gets stuck in your head for weeks.
