Free Music Notes for Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony

Gogol Bordello - Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony

Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony List Price: $12.99
Our Price: $11.99
You Save: $1.00 (8%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $7.49 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases



(Click here)
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store

Free Music Notes for Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony

Free Music Review: Versus Irony
Hit: 4 Stars

Balkan punk band Gogol Bordello made it big in the last year with their latest album, a movie cameo and lots of good press.

But like many bands who find success, Gogol Bordello actually have had a number of solid gypsy-punk albums before this. And "Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony" is right up there among their best -- sprightly, energetic and raw. It's completely insane and quite entertaining.

It starts off with a stop-start accordion melody that bobs in and out, until it's joined by a grinding guitar and frontman Eugene Hutz. "I walked into the bar/a man came up to me and said/you know the older you will get/the more PERVERTED you will get!" he sings in his heavy accent. Sounds like he's relishing every moment of this.

It sets the tone for the entire album -- gypsy music with a punk flair (or vice versa). "Ocurrence on the Border [Hopping on a Pogo-Gypsy Stick]" is a whirlwind of fast electric guitar and accordion, while "Let's Get Radical" is a grimy, slow-burning rock song, light on the gypsy and heavy on the punk.

But quite a few songs are heavy on the traditional elements: "Through the Roof 'n' Underground" is a slower number with a catchy tune, and "Hats Off to Kolpakoff" sounds like a rogue fiddler playing a little ditty on the streets. And the exhilarating "Baro Faro" is probably the best on this album: a nine minute stretch of wild fiddling and clashing rock rhythms.

You definitely have to admit that Gogol Bordello doesn't sound like any other rock band. They don't even sound like other Eastern-European-influenced bands like Balkan Beat Box or Beirut. They sound, in short, like your basic Balkan folk band that was forcibly conquered by a hyperactive clown punk.

So don't be surprised by what you hear -- a colourful clash of rock and folk, with electric guitar and smashing percussion duking it out with fiddles and accordion. It's that way from beginning to end (except for a few interludes of folkier music). The actual melodies are often traditional-sounding, but played with jagged punk fervour and twisted edges.

Eugene Hutz has a way of letting rip at machine-gun speed, or drawling the songs out at length. It's a bit hard to tell what he's singing though; his accent is as thick as a marble floor. But if you can decipher the lyrics, you'll find that they are A) funny, B) weird, C) profane and D) insane. Don't bother finding out the words -- just listen to that raw, howling voice.

If you can remember the difficult title ("Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony"), then check out one of Gogol Bordello's most cohesive, solid albums. Worth checking out for anyone who loves colourful, flavourful punk.

Free Music Review: one of very few cd's i've bought in a long time
Hit: 5 Stars

After hearing them live in one of the clubs in Boston I loved this band especially for their energy. After the show I decided to buy the cd. The cd is far from displaying the energy I saw on stage, however i'd say it's one of my favorite cd's. The lyrics don't make much sense and the guy's accent is really heavy, however the music overall is great.

Free Music Review: Something Different...
Hit: 4 Stars

Being a fan of mostly punk rock music... I decided to give this a try. This record is highly entertaining, very fun and very original. I didnt even know that "gypsy-punk" existed untill I heard this. The musicianship is quite good as well. Chanty, boot stompin' songs with accordians and fiddles. I like it. I reccomend this if you like the more folky brands of punk rock (ie Swingin' Utters, Tossers, etc.) So, if you're willing to give something different a try, go ahead and pick this up.

Free Music Review: If only this captured the energy of the show ...
Hit: 4 Stars

Saw these guys play live last night. Never heard of them before then. I bought the CD from one of the band members after the show and jumped around in the car all the way back home. Biggest disappointment: the CD doesn't quiet capture the wild energy of the live show, where people couldn't help but to jump around like crazy and drum away on nearby tables. It's still a cool CD though, I definitely don't regret buying it.

Free Music Review: Crazy Fast Punk Accordian
Hit: 4 Stars

Wow. this is different. Punk ukranian avant garde stuff.
I really like the different instruments and the energy of this group. They are touring this summer in Europe, hopefully next year I can catch em in the US.
More Free Music Notes:
1 2
Compare prices and find music notes for more than one million Music CD titles