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"I don't have much to comment about this show except the band the German Art Students, who played before us, were really great. They are from Madison, and sound like a mishmash between the Talking Heads, Jonathan Richman, The Pixies (at times), and some other influences I can't remember at the moment. Definitely enough of a variety where you don't just notice one band influencing them, and I think that's really, really good. Plus, they have really funny song titles - I think one of their songs is about a Civil War Re-enactment. "You drink the whiskey, I'll cut your leg off, You be the Monitor, I'll be the Merrimac." It was just funny enough to be funny. I always think you have to be careful when you're being witty, so you don't end up looking like one of those Intellectual bands."
-Rose Marshack
Poster Children
Despite the pugnacious title, the German Art Students' new CD is surprisingly zesty. Much like the parade of New Wave bands that spread equal amounts of pop and snot across the late-70's music scene, the local quartet hold nothing sacred. Civil War reenactments, self-righteous lefty artists, twee baroque-rock bands: They sneer at 'em all. Lead vocalist Annelies Howell is a reasonably effective satarist; plus her sugary vocal style is a perfect fit with the band's frothy pop progressions. The disc's best tune is the basic cartographical bitch "Shitty Directions" (which actually finds Howell in the role of backup singer), but the blasé triple-toe-loop references in "Disgruntled Figure Skating Judge" and the junky keyboard riffs in the anti-rocking "Theme from Rob" also have their charms.
Not a masterpiece by any means; nevertheless, What...? would make a nice
addition to any punk-rock collection.
-Tom Laskin
Isthmus
Madison's German Art Students are known for their happy jingles that 20 years ago would have been right at home on UK's Rough Trade Records. Well, Rough Trade is no more, but The German Art Students carry the beautiful torch of unpretentious rock and roll. G.A.S. have a knack for writing great song titles; Cruise Control Captain, Shitty Directions, Disgruntled Figure Skating Judge, and of course their local hit song, Civil War Re-enactor. A great CD from a great band.
-David Kulczyk
The Clarion