Die Drei Kids Die Vierte Box by Ulf Blanck – A Radioplay Gem That’ll Stick With You
Alright, so let me tell ya about this wild ride called Die Drei Kids Die Vierte Box. It’s not your typical music album—it’s more like a full-blown audio adventure, one of those radioplays that grabs you by the ears and doesn’t let go. Released back in 2013 in Germany on the Europa label, it’s packed with storytelling magic and some seriously cool sound design. And trust me, if you’re into quirky plots, mysterious twists, or just wanna hear something different, this is IT.
First off—can we talk about the team behind this thing? Ulf Blanck wrote the script AND directed the whole shebang, while Frank Ramond and Blanck himself handled the music. The narration is spot-on thanks to Johannes Steck (you know, THAT voice), and there’s even a kids’ choir involved (Kinderchor Der Hamburger Alsterspatzen—say THAT five times fast). Oh, and props to Jens Lück for mixing everything together so smoothly; it feels like you’re right there in the middle of the action.
Now, onto the tracks. There are LOADS of them, but two really stuck out to me: “Wildwasserfahrt” and “Gold! Gold! Gold!” Let me explain why these hit differently.
“Wildwasserfahrt” literally had my heart racing. I mean, imagine being strapped into a raft hurtling down rapids, except YOU’RE NOT EVEN THERE. That’s how vivid this track is. The sound effects? Unreal. Like, you can practically feel the water splashing against your face. Every creak of the wood, every shout from the characters—it pulls you in completely. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting such an adrenaline rush from a radioplay. But here we are.
And then there’s “Gold! Gold! Gold!”—oh man, this one’s pure chaos in the best way possible. It’s got this frantic energy, like everyone’s losing their minds over treasure hunts and riches. The music swells at exactly the right moments, making you feel like YOU’RE the one digging up gold bars in some hidden cave. Plus, the dialogue between the characters here is golden (pun intended). They bicker, they scheme, they dream big—it’s all so human and relatable, even though it’s totally fictional.
What makes this box set stand out isn’t just its polish—it’s the little imperfections that make it real. Like when someone stumbles over their words mid-scene, or when background noises sneak in unexpectedly. It gives the whole thing a raw charm, like it’s alive instead of just… existing.
But here’s the kicker: as much as I enjoyed listening to this, I couldn’t help but wonder—why don’t we see more stuff like this today? Seriously, where did all the epic radioplays go? Streaming services push podcasts and audiobooks, sure, but nothing quite scratches that itch like Die Drei Kids Die Vierte Box. Maybe it’s because no one else has Ulf Blanck’s knack for blending drama, humor, and just enough weirdness to keep things interesting.
So yeah, give this one a shot if you’re tired of the same old playlists. Just be warned—you might find yourself daydreaming about pirate ships and secret codes long after the final track ends. Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, hats off to Blanck & Co. for creating something truly unforgettable.
