PARADA

Marko Brecelj left BULDOZER in 1979 after the release of their mini-LP soundtrack "Zivi bili pa vidjeli". The best moment of that record was his proclamatory shout "Novo vrijeme" (New Era) which announced the imminent New Wave rock scene in Yugoslavia. On the wave of commercial success and creative peak of that movement Brecelj in the midst of the New Wave boom during 1981 releases an ultimate punk EP with three songs. But, what a "punk" this was.... A protest-style singer/songwriter playing acoustic guitar using a typical punkish 2-chord structure and rhythm! Amazing! Acoustic punk! Almost like early Bob Dylan...

"Parada" (The Parade) presents a mockery of the Communist militarist establishment's urge to organise occasional parades with marching youth and soldiers. "Majmuni: Uspomena Bjelom Dupetu" (The Monkeys: In Memory of the White Arse), which can also be read as "In Memory of Bijelo Dugme", is a cynical message to the most popular Yugoslav rock band BIJELO DUGME, seen as "dinosaurs" of the music charts. "Trotoari" (Sidewalks) is a short vignette of urban alienation.

These three songs lasting around 5 minutes in total are somehow a sort of minimalist punk suite, having almost the same chords and rhythm throughout. The EP is now a rarity, but if you get the CD "Cocktail" issue of 1996 you'll also get these 3 songs as bonus. Unfortunately, the language barrier is major obstacle for non-South Slav listeners.

PERSONAL RATING: 3,5/5

P.A. RATING: 3/5