NEGDJE POSTOJI NETKO

It continues in the vein of the previous album "Rodjenje", only this time it is even more restricted in the arrangements and production that are minimalistic. Backing band is the same one, led by the pianist Neven Franges. Dominating instruments are acoustic guitars and acoustic (grand) piano, making this album the least "rocking" of all the works of Mlinarec. Melancholic, minor-key compositions are highly introspective, and require several listens in order to catch their substance. However, it is noticeable that arrangements and composing are not on par with earlier efforts, making "Negdje postoji netko" the first sign of the crisis of Mlinarec's creativity.

That said, this album still contains at least four excellent songs: the opening title track with amazing sound of acoustic guitars, reminding me of Johnny Marr's work for THE SMITHS some ten years later and a wonderful "Gdje je istina" ("Where's the Truth") with another strong guitar work, this time using the effects similar to PINK FLOYD's on "Animals" from around the same year. Two highlights of the album definitely are "Jedrenjak" ("Sailing Ship"), piano and bass driven epic song close to classic prog rock sound and a gentle, pastoral ballad "Polja" ("The Fields") with repetitive acoustic guitar chord and a playful right-hand piano work of Franges. In these songs Mlinarec proves his vocal and lyrical abilities and confirms his position as the leading singer/songwriter with a "rock" sensibility in the former Yugoslavia of the time (he is originally from Croatia).

"Zelen kao zelena trava" ("As Green As Grass") and "Caracas" are IMO unsuccessful attempts to produce more accessible if not commercial material, while the closing lengthy instrumental "Cvrkut ptica" ("Birds Singing") with the birds sounds, electric piano and harmonica would be a proper choice for a documentary soundtrack. Here on the record, unfortunately it leads aimlessly to boredom. This album fails to match the previous three masterpieces of Drago Mlinarec, but it still has a lots of good material and excellent music to be recommended, if you enjoy listening to "nice and easy" mainly acoustic songs. Not quite for 4 stars, but also more than merely an average "good"!