Fire Engines, Aufgeladen und Bereit fur Action und Spass (side A)

Fire Engines are remembered for having placed particular emphasis on dance rhythms within their guitar-focused post-punk approach.  While dance music tends to boost low frequencies to draw attention to its pulse, 1981's Aufgeladen und Bereit fur Action und Spass has almost now bass in its mixes.  The electric guitars, which are the focus of the mix, are equalized to be incredibly thin and bright.  While the absence of cymbals leaves space at the top, the snare is also unnaturally bright, and it would sit above the mix if not for all of the other odd qualities.  The bass lacks low end, but it also lacks articulation at the top, and it sits in a narrow frequency band of its own.  The occasional use of synthetic strings feels a bit out of place for such a primitive album, and draws it more toward commercial new wave of its era.  Some songs are instrumental, and the vocals are not a featured element when they do appear — they add more rhythmic and structural content than melodic focus.  The bright-pink background of the cover seems to hint at a more delicate style, but the spartan layout and blurry photo leave the design more open-ended and confusing, which feels appropriate for this idiosyncratic album.