Teen Riot Günther Strackture by Mäuse: A Chaotic, Synthy Trip Through Time
Let’s get one thing straight—this album is wild. Teen Riot Günther Strackture by Mäuse isn’t your run-of-the-mill electronic record; it’s like someone threw a bunch of genres into a blender and hit "puree." Abstract? Check. Indie Rock? Yup. Techno vibes with Punk/New Wave attitude? Double check. Released in 1969 (yeah, you read that right) on Austria’s Morbid Records, this gem feels way ahead of its time. Produced and written by Gerhard Potuznik and Tex Rubinowitz, the duo somehow managed to make something both experimental and oddly catchy.
Now, let me tell you about two tracks that stuck in my brain like gum under a desk. First up: "Hosen Runter." It’s raw, unapologetic, and kinda makes you wanna dance while questioning all your life choices. The beat hits hard, but there’s also this weirdly poetic vibe lurking underneath. Like, what does “pants down” really mean here? Is it rebellion? Vulnerability? Or just some dude who tripped over his own jeans? Whatever it is, it works. Every time I hear those synths kick in, I feel like I’m at an underground club in Vienna where everyone’s wearing neon suspenders and arguing about existentialism.
Then there’s "Ich Weine Lieber Im Taxi Als Im Bus." Come on, how can you not love a song title like that? Translated as “I’d Rather Cry in a Taxi Than in a Bus,” it’s quirky AF and dripping with sass. The track itself has this pulsing electro groove that sneaks up on you, blending retro synth tones with sharp, almost punky vocals. You don’t just listen to this song—you experience it. By the second chorus, I was convinced taxis are objectively superior for emotional breakdowns. Science will back me up on this.
What blows my mind is how Mäuse pulled off such a genre mashup without losing their identity. Tracks like "Amerika" and "Syrien A Gogo" dive deep into social commentary, while others like "Bitte Kauf Mir Ein Eis" (“Please Buy Me Ice Cream”) keep things lighthearted and absurd. And then you’ve got bangers like "Das Internationale Elektron," which sounds like Kraftwerk decided to hang out with The Clash after too many espressos.
Honestly, listening to this album feels like flipping through channels on an old TV set—if every channel was broadcasting from inside a dystopian art gallery. It’s messy, chaotic, and occasionally confusing, but damn if it doesn’t leave an impression.
So yeah, Teen Riot Günther Strackture might not be perfect, but maybe that’s the point. It’s a reminder that music doesn’t have to fit neatly into boxes to matter. Oh, and fun fact: If you ever see Gerhard or Tex, ask them why they didn’t release more stuff together. Because seriously, we need more albums where crying in cabs is considered high art.
Final thought: This record makes me wonder what other hidden gems are out there from ‘60s Austria. Maybe next time I’ll stumble across an avant-garde polka-metal opera. Stranger things have happened, right?
