Unlike English-language rock, or even French, German rock hasn't had much of a high-profile since Falco. But if any single record was responsible for renewing Germany's reputation as a pop and rock musical nation, it was Wir Sind Helden's 2003 debut album Die Reklamation. German for We Are Heroes, the album quickly became one of the highest German-language albums in German history: it has to date sold 800,000 copies, going quadruple platinum.

After a listen to the album, it is not hard to understand what so captivated audiences. The album's songs are both musically and lyrically interesting. The lyrics are replete with interesting observations and funny wordplay — in German only, of course.

The first single, "Guten Tag," is a catchy synth rock song for those who don't speak German, and a satirical slam of consumerism for those that do. The album is evenly mixed between quiet, intropective songs like "Die Zeit heilt alle Wunder" and high-energy, dance power songs like "Müssen nur wollen."

It is testomony to the brilliance of Wir Sind Helden's debut that despite three subsequent albums, they have never quite been able to replicate the quality, humour, and mix. Die Reklamation is easily one of the best German albums ever.

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