Naruto – Georg Bendemann (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

I think most artists would consider themselves to have an impressive work rate if they could even drop singles as regularly as Georg Bendemann does whole albums. Even in this modern age, where musical turnover is up, few have a release rate that matches his. And it is not just a case of putting albums out; each tends to be themed, tell a story, and have something interesting to say.

For the last couple of albums, The Hermit and Metamorphosis, he has adopted a relatively sparse and short delivery style, but the new single, “Naruto,” from his latest album, The Burrow, is an interesting change. Here, delicate piano, ticking beats, and chugging electric guitars provide the backdrop across which he casts his words.

And lyrically, he returns to the sort of street-rap territory that he was working with when I first encountered him all those years ago; not only that, the songs, or at least this first release, are back to a more usual song length.

Throw in a nice electric lead break to play us out, and you have an interesting new direction being explored or, perhaps, in part, at least, revisited.

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