Xanti Der Trollschatz by Joachim von Ulmann: A Quirky Little Gem from 1989
Alright, let’s talk about Xanti Der Trollschatz. This oddball album came out in Germany back in '89, and honestly? It's not your typical music release. Labelled under "Non-Music" and "Children's," with a style that leans heavily into radioplay vibes, it’s more like an audio storybook than anything else. Released by Kiosk (not the snack stand kind, though that would be cool), this one feels like a time capsule from another era. Let me break it down for you.
The album has two tracks—yep, just two—but they pack a punch. Both are parts of the same tale: Xanti - Der Trollschatz (Teil 1) and Xanti - Der Trollschatz (Teil 2). If you’re into imaginative storytelling with sound effects and quirky voice acting, this is right up your alley. It’s basically a kids' fantasy adventure told through sound, which was pretty rad back then when cassettes ruled the world.
Now, I gotta say, Teil 1 sticks with me because it sets the stage so well. You can almost picture Xanti, some scrappy little hero, setting off on his quest for troll treasure—or “Trollschatz,” as the Germans call it. The way the narrator builds suspense with dramatic pauses and goofy sound cues makes it feel like you're sitting around a campfire, except indoors and probably eating pretzels. And those trolls? Man, they sound ridiculous but also kinda scary in that cartoonish way only German storytellers seem to nail.
Then there’s Teil 2, where things get wilder. Without spoiling too much, let’s just say the stakes go up, and the payoff feels satisfyingly chaotic. There’s this moment near the end—I won’t spoil it—but it involves a lot of shouting and what sounds suspiciously like pots and pans clanging together. It’s silly, sure, but isn’t that the point? This wasn’t made for adults sipping lattes; it was crafted for kids who want to laugh, gasp, and maybe even dream about trolls hoarding shiny rocks.
What strikes me most about Xanti Der Trollschatz is how unapologetically weird it is. In today’s world of polished Spotify playlists and TikTok hits, something like this stands out like a sore thumb—in the best possible way. It reminds us that music—or whatever you wanna call this—doesn’t always have to fit neatly into boxes. Sometimes, it’s okay to lean into pure creativity, even if it means making something that sounds like a kindergarten teacher’s fever dream.
So yeah, while this album might not win any Grammys (do they even give awards for troll-themed radioplays?), it’s got charm. Listening to it felt like stepping into someone else’s childhood—a simpler time before smartphones and social media took over. Honestly, I kinda miss that vibe.
Oh, and here’s the kicker: after finishing both parts, all I could think was…why don’t we make more stuff like this nowadays? Like, imagine if Netflix did audio-only shows like this instead of shoving CGI dragons down our throats every other week. Just saying.
