Gogol Bordello, "When The Trickster Starts A-Poking (Bordello Kind of Guy)"
Gogol Bordello, "Huliganjetta"
I told you that we would get back to where it all began, Gogol Bordello. These tunes come off one of the earlier Gogol Bordello release, Multi Kontra Culti Vs. Irony, which is better than that awful title. Not by much, sadly. I think it is best to let lead singer Eugene Hutz better explain where the title comes from: "The title of the new album sums of the spirit of the band and the people around it. Gogol Bordello is about creating new musical possibilities. We all come from a very distinct tradition of music that is largely driven by Eastern European sounds, visions and colors as well as punk rock and street culture. We’re a multicultural unit with an underdog energy and a sense of humor, although a pretty twisted one". Good stuff, right? Not hard to see why this band means a lot to me, oh great defender of cities and diversity and anarchy, right?
Well, unfortunately, that quote might be the best thing about the album. This album just never gets it done, not recommended for beginners or those familiar with Gogol, especially if you have seen them live. First off, the sound is completely blah, neither gypsy nor punk and definitely not a combo of both. It just sort of hints at those sounds, never quite committing to anything. The lyrics are just as bad, as the stories are uninteresting, which only makes the awkward English annoying. I wish that this album was better, but would have to recommend starting with their most recent release, Gypsy Punks: Underground World Strike, and hoping that they can finally bottle that live show energy in the studio.
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