Mutter

1	Mein Herz Brennt 4:39
2	Links 2 3 4 3:36
3	Sonne 4:32
4	Ich Will 3:37
5	Feuer Frei! 3:11
6	Mutter 4:32
7	Spieluhr 4:46
8	Zwitter 4:17
9	Rein Raus 3:09
10	Adios 3:49
11	Nebel 4:54

Barnes & Noble

Flamethrowers, kettledrums, and random acts of psychic violence -- these are a few of Rammstein's favorite things. Bred in the rubble of preunification East Germany, the quartet has a natural predilection for the dark spaces where ugliness and beauty meet and mate -- you know, like Wagner outfitted with all manner of electric noisemakers. Mutter, the band's third full-length, maintains the high-decibel angst, as evidenced by the grinding, gut-pummeling "Links 2,3,4," but daubs some less monochromatic colors here and there on the landscape. The prog-styled string section that blankets "Mein Herz Brennt, Mutter" is at once soothing and creepy, like the incidental music of some long-forgotten horror flick, while a preschool chorus adds a certain degree of black humor to "Spieluhr." Guitarist Richard Kruspe does a mighty fine impression of just about every item you might spy in your friendly neighborhood foundry, only rarely deigning to turn loose some standard rock progressions. That contributes greatly to Rammstein's oddball appeal, as does the immovable-force presence of singer Till Lindemann, whose guttural wails make it easy to divine the angst of his lyrics, even without a German-English dictionary. David Sprague

All Music Guide

With the first Rammstein album you hear, it's hard not to be slightly amazed by the sheer chutzpah of it all. The German lyrics, the prog rock tendencies, the classic metal guitars, and the ridiculous basso profundo vocals -- you either fall for it, spurn it, or are utterly bemused by the extremeness of it all. Unless you're a fanatic, it wears a little thin the second time around. And for most listeners, Mutter, the group's third album and sequel to their inexplicable commercial breakthrough Sehnsucht, will be the second time around since it's their first release since becoming a high profile act. Thing is, if you've heard that record, you've pretty much heard Mutter, since all the trademarks are in place, without much noticeable variation. Yes, there are slight differences, chief of which is the cleaner production, which streamlines everything so the guitars don't seem as heavy, the songs not as epic, and the whole enterprise not as ridiculous. That's not the same thing as stripping the group to the basics, however; it's more like wrapping up the music in nice, shiny paper and putting a ribbon on it. That's not really good for a group like Rammstein, but it doesn't dilute their impact, either, because they are what they are and no amount of polish will make them mainstream (nor will it make it possible to take them seriously). So, that does mean that Mutter isn't as good as Sehnsucht, but it isn't a stumble either -- and if you liked the first, you'll like this (not the same thing as being amused by the first -- in that case, this will try your patience). That still doesn't answer the question whether anybody outside of diehards needs more than one Rammstein album, but that's just a question of personal taste. Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Rolling Stone

1/2 Rammstein evoke a self-loathing and wretchedness that Fred Durst only mimes. Pat Blashill

Blender

Mutter is the best thing the Germans have done for the erection since Heidi Klum. Jason Bracelin