Review by A D
Album Review: Zwischen Den Bäumen by Birne Helene
Birne Helene’s Zwischen Den Bäumen (2006) is a rock album that feels like a late-night drive through the Austrian countryside—moody, unpredictable, and full of hidden corners. Released under Kaktus=Apfelbaum-Records and Edelbrand-Records, this record doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but it sure knows how to spin it in interesting ways. Helene wears multiple hats here, not just as the artist but also as the producer, which gives the album a cohesive, DIY charm.
The tracklist reads like a collection of short stories, each one carving out its own little world. But two tracks, in particular, stuck with me long after the needle lifted off the record. First up, there’s “Graustufen.” It’s not flashy or loud, but it has this creeping intensity that sneaks up on you. The guitar work feels raw yet deliberate, like someone sketching with charcoal instead of ink. There’s something haunting about the way the melody lingers—it’s not quite sad, but it’s not happy either. It’s just… stuck in between, kinda like the title suggests.
Then there’s “Synthetische Tiere,” which flips the script entirely. Where “Graustufen” is brooding and introspective, this one bursts open with an almost playful energy. The rhythm section here is tight, locking into grooves that make your foot tap whether you want it to or not. And those synths? They’re not overdone, just enough to give the track a futuristic edge without losing its rock roots. It’s the kind of song that makes you wonder what Helene was thinking about when she wrote it—was it inspired by some sci-fi novel? A weird dream? Either way, it works.
What I appreciate most about Zwischen Den Bäumen is how unapologetically itself it is. This isn’t an album trying to chase trends or fit neatly into any subgenre box. Instead, it feels like a snapshot of Birne Helene’s mind at a specific moment in time. Sure, the production can feel a bit rough around the edges in places, but honestly, that only adds to its character.
If I had to nitpick, I’d say some tracks blend together a little too much, making it hard to distinguish one from another after a few listens. But even then, it’s not enough to detract from the overall experience.
Here’s the unexpected part: listening to this album made me think about trees—not in a hippie-dippie way, but more about how they stand still while everything around them changes. Maybe that’s why the title works so well. Or maybe I’m reading too much into it. Either way, Zwischen Den Bäumen is worth your time if you’re into rock music that leans more toward atmosphere than anthems.
Final verdict? Solid 7.5/10. Not perfect, but definitely memorable.
