Markus and Michael Acher formed the group together with Martin Messerschmidt in Weilheim, near Munich. In 1990 they recorded their self-titled debut The Notwist, a grunge-metal oriented LP. 1992 saw the release of Nook, which has an indie rock sound, while their 1995 album 12 contains their first flirtation with electronica. Martin Gretschmann (aka Console) joined the group in 1997. Shrink, released in 1998, is a jazz-electro-rock album. The album Neon Golden (released in 2002) put them on the map for American listeners.
In 2003 the band started their own record label Alien Transistor and released a soundtrack for the movie Lichter by Hans-Christian Schmid. On September, 6th 2004 the EP Solo Swim came out, a collaboration between The Notwist, Console and Klimek, which is also the soundtrack for the documentary Kanalschwimmer by Jörg Adolph. Both EPs are only available on vinyl as is the latest EP by Rayon (Markus Acher), released in spring 2006.
Some of The Notwist's songs have been remixed by Four Tet, Manitoba, Console, Loopspool, and others. Singer Markus Acher collaborated with Anticon rapper/producer Alias on the song Unseen Sights.
The Notwist recently formed a supergroup with Themselves named 13 & God, whose eponymous debut was released in 2005. Other acts in which members of The Notwist are participating include Village of Savoonga, Tied & Tickled Trio, Lali Puna, Ms. John Soda, Potawatomi, Alles wie Groß, Ogonjok, Rayon, 3 Shades of Blues, Hometrainer, Bolzplatz Heroes, Alien Ensemble, and Schweisser.
In 2006, Messerschmitt left the band on friendly terms. Markus Acher stated that "it just didn't work anymore".
The Devil, You + Me and was released in Europe in May, 2008. On June 17, 2008 the album was released in North America on Domino Records.
2014 saw the release of Close to the Glass released in the US on Sub-Pop.
http://www.notwist.com
Members
* Markus Acher - guitar, vocals
* Michael Acher - bass
* Mecki Messerschmidt - drums
* Martin Gretschmann (aka Console) - programming
This Sorry Confession
The Notwist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm safe and I don't mind when a thing that attacks me from behind
I'm ashamed
I'm ashamed
But I don't feel anything
I'm ashamed
But I don't feel anything
The lyrics to The Notwist's "This Sorry Confession" are full of emotional depth and complexity. The singer seems to be struggling with conflicting feelings of shame, fear, and detachment. The opening lines, "I'm blind cause I can see what it means to stand in front of me, I'm safe and I don't mind when a thing that attacks me from behind," suggest that the singer is aware of the dangers around them but feels protected somehow, perhaps due to their own numbness or detachment from their surroundings. The lines also hint at a lack of self-awareness or introspection, as the singer cannot fully see what is right in front of them.
The chorus, "I'm ashamed, but I don't feel anything," is powerful in its paradoxical nature. The singer is aware that they should feel shame for something they have done or failed to do, but they are so emotionally detached that they can't seem to feel anything at all. The repetition of the phrase "I'm ashamed" underscores the weight of this emotion, while the second line acknowledges the singer's lack of ability or willingness to confront it.
Overall, "This Sorry Confession" is a hauntingly beautiful song that explores complex emotions and the difficulties of truly connecting with oneself and others.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm blind cause I can see what it means to stand in front of me
I'm aware of what's in front of me, but I still can't see and understand it clearly.
I'm safe and I don't mind when a thing that attacks me from behind
I feel secure even when something catches me by surprise from behind.
I'm ashamed
I feel guilty and regretful about something I have done.
I'm ashamed, But I don't feel anything
Although I know I should feel remorseful, I am numb and indifferent to the consequences of my actions.
I'm ashamed
I feel guilty and regretful about something I have done.
I'm ashamed, But I don't feel anything
Although I know I should feel remorseful, I am numb and indifferent to the consequences of my actions.
Contributed by Matthew O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.