But this is what you might expect from an unconventional nomad son of a Gypsy! Legend has it that Eicher spent most of his early years roaming round Europe, hopping in and out of taxis as he wended his way from grimy bedsits and greasy spoons to luxury hotels. The singer's personal odyssey across Europe not only left an indelible mark on his psyche – it has also provided the inspiration for his latest album, Taxi Europa. Eicher's early albums were an interesting mix of rock bravura and softer, slower ballad numbers, and Taxi Europa appears to mark a return to that full-throttle down to low-gear mix. Eicher's latest offering kicks off on a raw, loud note, screaming electric guitars and meaty drums staying firmly up front on the opening track, On nous a donné. Expressing his life experiences through Philippe Djian's well-crafted lyrics, the Swiss rocker declares, "They taught us bad manners / And left us the worst clichés… But you can do better / Do better for your kids / So one day they'll look at their father / Differently than you're looking at me."

Those who like their songs with a moral in the story will not be disappointed, nor will fans who enjoy music with a multi-lingual twist. On the album's title track Eicher teams up with two singers he has recently accompanied on tour, stepping behind the mike with German singing star Herbert Grönemeyer and Max Gazzé (Italy's answer to Manu Chao). Eicher also fuses his husky vocals with his compatriot, the Swiss German singer Tinu Heiniger, remembering the good old days in the seedy working-class neighbourhood of Zurich where Eicher once trailed his boots and his wannabe sailor's kit-bag.

The album Taxi Europa also wanders down melancholy lane, with the strains of sad violins drifting away on Cendrillon après minuit (Cinderella After Midnight) and the deep bass of an organ underscoring the haunting lyrics of Voisine (Neighbour) arranged by young singing-songwriting star of the moment, Benjamin Biolay. Belgian singing star Maurane drops in on another haunting ballad, E*, her deep, soulful vocals providing a backing to Eicher's melancholy musings on the lot of a music star who clocks on and off stage with all the dull routine of a factory worker. Venerable French theatre actress Micheline Dax also makes a surprise appearance on Eicher's new album, revealing her secret whistling talent (which, incidentally, she has already put to good use for William Sheller). On the song Avec toi Micheline's chirpy whistles crescendo to an outburst of laughter as Eicher roars out his rock decibels up front.

But then Taxi Europa is designed to revolve around this meeting of oppositional worlds and fusion of languages. Even the packaging of the album invites listeners to indulge in a 'double reading' of the songs, German-speaking or French-speaking fans slipping a transparent red or green sheet over the lyrics to decipher them in the language of their choice. And the music on Taxi Europe appears to be equally multi-layered too, veering as it does from loud rock anthems to jazzy ballads and techno spleen. So, music fans, fasten your seat belts for an emotionally bumpy but never boring ride!