Pitbull & The Bouncy Castle
Bouncy Castle

The Bouncy Castle is a space fortress built in a large barn south of Berlin by German punks Pitbull & The Bouncy Castle. Originally designed by German sculptor Dieter Strang, the structure has been used as a temporary home by the duo. In 2007, they opened the pitbull breeding facility that bears their name, which was destroyed in a fire. In 2015, the pair relocated to another location in Berlin, and the track “Pitbull Castle” is a compilation of tracks transferred to this new home. The tracks refer to the duo's reputation for being a pest; “Bouncy Castle” is a testament to that reputation (the pair face two other pitbull breeders, with the condition of terrier-sized corgis, facing an even greater threat).

The juxtaposition of bits of German myth with the sounds of a pitbull is a perfect match for the duo’s sound – bar none – which is rooted in the wild, free-spirited, loose and constantly shifting. This combination of sounds makes for an exhilarating release. “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” is a showcase for the duo’s versatility, featuring the sound of a chained pitbull; “Outside Of The Park” rigs up the pitbull mix; “Falling Through The Roof” is a rally homage, with vocals from a pitbull and a pitbull mix; and “Bouncy Castle” is an extended sounding-room treatment of the duo’s own mythology.

There’s a sense of grace to the duo’s approach, which is a welcome development in the genre. Pitbulls are noisy and edgy beasts; they have a long history of using their cocks to frighten people – and that’s the point. So the music on “Bouncy Castle” is as much a response to their sound as their sound is to their image.

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