Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Synkopy - Válka je vul (The Best of) - vol. 3 CD (album) cover

VÁLKA JE VUL (THE BEST OF) - VOL. 3

Synkopy

 

Eclectic Prog

4.86 | 2 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Marty McFly
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
5 stars I hope that system (Oh, behold before mighty matrix) will be reasonable soon and take proper name of this record, where it rejected character "ů" and gave us "ů" instead (number in ASCII chart?).

This is different Best of that you may be used to. It's collection of unreleased materials, that they weren't able to release, because of totalitarian regime in 70s/80s. this is 1st trait of music from these times. But it doesn't matter, because in 90s, after collapse of Soviet Union, we were free to do things in democracy way. And some former musicians decided to release these. This is how records like these were born. After all, pacifistic name and title song wasn't a way which communism wanted to take. 2nd trait is that some songs 4/17 are with Czech lyrics, but taken elsewhere (Tchajkovskij, one traditional song, Uriah Heep and Barbara-Ann). This is not sign off their lack of originality, one should understand that it was normal in these days. Reasons were also that almost no one could speak English language, so this helped people to know what-the-heck-are-they-singin-about. And after all, also not much records from UK (and almost nothing from US) were available here. As my father said (*1962): "You could have get about 1-2 albums from each artist, something like average number. And what's strange, mostly these LP's were the good ones, like Dark Side of The Moon and Aqualung.". So people actually didn't know what Uriah Heep means. Sad times, but full of resistance and people decided to break commies away. Slowly.

It's LP size, just 39 minutes. "Válka je vůl - Verze 2" is much better than from previous album (compilation), presents better prog elements like things you don't often see in such a short song. 2:43 minutes full of guitar solos, keyboard solos (also) and straight to point lyrics. Every line here speaks for itself, it seems like they were shortened, that just bare bone remained. And it's really good, anti-war song. Impossible to translate. First 10 tracks are from 1966-1970 era (except 1st), last ones are from 70s, same as first track. One thing is very different here. They said that The Beach Boys is their inspiration. One would guess it while listening them. "Můj svět byl prázdný dům" is my least favourite song, too many synths here to my taste, but offers prog-E also, so I can take it. And to be honest, more and more listens of this song are for his good. "Divny sen" (Weird Dream) with classical melody by Piotr Ilich Cajkovskij (name differs with languages) combined with well synchronized vocals. Great combination. I think that all members are singing, which could make 7 singers here. Well, all tracks are quick, not even second wasted which brings strong feelings. Of course, for foreign listener it could be little bit confusing. And after all, I don't know how our language can sound to others. Also, they're from Brno, Morava. So south-eastern part of country, which also means a lot. But doesn't sing in their accent, but rather formal Czech language, as most bands do. Topics of songs revolving about meaningless deaths (Zelena louka, where chosen words are really sad, such waste of life, lamentation about stupid death, about things he could do and can't now), idiocy of wars (Valka je vul), Hopes of youth (Hej pane muj) and other human attributes. "Nenechte umiracek znit" (Don't let death bell ring), title speaks for itself, lyrics are similar.

5(-) for their best work to date. In fact, this if you divide prog on first era, then synth 80s and new age, this is their best 1st era album. I take this as normal records, many of these songs are well known and unreleased from political reasons. Kridleni is their best 2nd era album.

Marty McFly | 5/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this SYNKOPY review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.