This is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to find more on this list. So far, there has not been much that surprised and pleased me like this album (Ágætis byrjun is really the only other one I can think of). An album that isn't perfect, but that is interesting and unique. One that has something to say in a way no one else would. An album I otherwise never would have encountered. I don't need to like everything on the album (I don't in this case, though I did enjoy most of it), I just want to learn and listen. The Threepenny Opera "Tango Ballad" arrangement is so cool--I liked it even better than the original. I love the reimagined instrumental accompaniment, with all those ethereal synth sounds. I was hoping to enjoy the Philip Glass track more. I hate to say it, but it really does sound like stereotypical Glass--just throw in a couple arpeggiated sextuplet lines and call it a day. It was good, but I'm disappointed it wasn't more interesting. I don't like Neil Hannon's voice. He sounds straight out of Volbeat or another heavy metal band, and I don't think it meshes with Ute Lemper's cabaret style. I think I would've rated this album a 4 anyway, but his part definitely would keep me from bringing this up to 5. The delicate instrumentation on "Purple Avenue" is beautiful. Honestly, Ute could be singing almost anything over it and I would enjoy it. "You Were Meant For Me" is lovely, dramatic, spectacular. The heavily orchestrated instrumentals and Ute's semi-operatic flair on this track go together wonderfully. It reminds me of a film score. "Scope J." probably isn't something I would go out of my way to listen to again, but I did enjoy listening to it. The dissonances were disturbing in a way that perfectly encapsulated the haunting lyrics. Music like this is proof that good music doesn't have to be enjoyable: it can be disturbing, harsh, throught-provoking. Overall, a pretty cool album that borrows heavily from its cabaret roots. That means it is kind of absurd and melodramatic at times, but I can appreciate it for what it is.