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Synkopy - Sluneční Hodiny CD (album) cover

SLUNEčNÍ HODINY

Synkopy

 

Eclectic Prog

4.21 | 60 ratings

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Marty McFly
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Czech Prog scene is quite big, when we consider how small nation we are and all the repression by then government of commies.

But so so unknown, virtually overlooked by most of the people because of lack of information.

Therefore, talented artist either done something not so offensive (chosen themes that wouldn't harm government) or was banned, prosecuted and refused to be given limelight and gigs bigger than playing for few friends (or in some kind of secret place, but then people didn't know that something was happening).

Sluneční hodiny means "Sundial", time measuring device that shows you what time it is. And this is the story of these clocks.

When considering era when this album was released, we have to think in Czech conditions. Albums were often denied immediate release and sometimes held back for years. Who knows what is the story of this album, I'm not that informed, but it's year 1981. Also, our scene was quite behind. Not much, but it was. But I personally see this album as flag bearer of 70s quality + added better elements of 80s.

Lineup of Synkopy changed over course of time and also their maturity. Now it seems more like doing serious business (we have a term for bands like these in Czech Republic, it's "Rock for Adults" as opposed to then newcoming wave of easier genre alternative/punk where intention was to headbang, not to think). Not so funny elements I hear in it, colder beauty style.

For example Hůl ve slunečních hodinách (Stick in sundial) guess what this is about. Yeah, you're right, about this stick that measures, casts shadow from which we can calculate what time it is.

Songs are quite dark in atmosphere, but certainly has a lot to offer. But that's not the only variant of word atmosphere that I want to use. This album is also atmospheric, dreamy. Because this kind of synths (so usual in Neo-Prog bands of 80's) is used here.

Racek Černý (Black Seagul, or Seagul that is black is you want to be poetic) is challenging song about ability to fly so normal for birds, but so promising to humans.

Songs are long and so there's a lot of space to fill. Even not extremely long (remember, 1981, LP length), you certainly won't regret time looking for and listening this album

5(-), ambitious work, surprise that it was released (and conceived) assuming conditions of times when this was made.

Marty McFly | 4/5 |

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