NunSexMonkRock
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NunSexMonkRock is the debut studio album by German singer Nina Hagen. It was released on June 12, 1982 by CBS Records. It marked Hagen's first release since her departure from the Nina Hagen Band and was also her first album with all songs in English language. Hagen recorded the album in New York City with Mike Thorne and collaborated with musicians Paul Roessler, Ferdi Karmelk, and Karl Rucker when writing the songs for the album. The lyrics deal with various themes including motherhood, religion, drug abuse, and UFOs. Musically, NunSexMonkRock is an experimental rock with influences of post-punk and new wave music.
Upon its release, NunSexMonkRock received mixed reviews from music critics. While some praised Hagen's theatrical vocals, others criticized its experimental production. Rolling Stone called it the "most unlistenable" album ever made. Commercialy, the album achieved a moderate success. In the United States, it peaked at number 184 on the Billboard 200. In Germany, it reached number twenty-seven, and also peaked inside the top forty in other countries, such as New Zealand and Norway. "Smack Jack" was the only single released from the album. It managed to be successful in Norway where it peaked at number seven.
Background
In 1979, after working on the movie Cha Cha with Herman Brood and Lene Lovich, Hagen met the Dutch guitarist Ferdinand "Ferdi" Karmelk, with whom she later had a daughter Cosma Shiva. Together they started working on new music after Hagen's departure from the Nina Hagen Band.
After her European tour was canceled in 1980, Hagen moved to the United States and signed with Bennett Glotzer, the former manager of Frank Zappa. She began working on songs in English, since most of her previous material was in German and after six month she returned to Germany with her new tour. Shortly after discovering she was pregnant, Hagen broke up with Karmelk and moved back to Los Angeles. In 1982, Hagen signed a new recording deal with CBS Records.
Critical reception
Upon its release, NunSexMonkRock received mixed reviews from music critics. Bil Carpenter at AllMusic gave it four and a half star out of five, calling it an "eccentric rock material" and praising Hagen's vocal diversity. Robert Christgau commented that "she does have a new-wave sense of humor - instead of taking on Maria Callas with her umpteen-octave range she does impressions of Linda Blair and Mercedes McCambridge."
Track listing
1. "Antiworld" Nina Hagen - Paul Roessler 4:41
2. "Smack Jack" Ferdinand Karmelk 5:16
3. "Taitschi-Tarot" Hagen - Roessler 2:05
4. "Dread Love" Hagen - Karmelk 4:08
5. "Future Is Now" Hagen 2:55
6. "Born In Xixax" Hagen 2:55
7. "Iki Maska" Hagen 5:08
8. "Dr. Art" Hagen - Karl Rucker 4:49
9. "Cosma Shiva" Hagen 3:17
10. "UFO" Hagen - Rucker 4:52
Notes:
"Iki Maska" contains an interpolation of "Planet Claire" performed by The B-52's.
"Cosma Shiva" contains an interpolation of "The Changeling" performed by The Doors.
Credits and personnel
Nina Hagen - vocals, synthesizer, guitar
Mike Thorne - production
Allan Schwartzberg - drums
Karl Rucker - bass, synthesizer
Chris Spedding - guitar
Paul Shaffer - synthesizer
Paul Roessler - synthesizer, piano
Axel Gath - baritone saxophone, contrabass clarinet,
Michael Ewasko - engineer
Don Wershba - additional overdubs
Harvey Goldberg - mixing, additional overdubs
Jack Skinner - mastering
Nicolaj Ilieff - design
Juliana Grigorova - photography