UZ JSME DOMA

I think Kry or Ice Flows by U? Jsme Doma is a pretty great album I would say that some of the songs are only ok (Vločky, Cesta, and Věci) but the rest of the album is great in my opinion. I like the quick pace in some of them, the duet in SmetÍ, . I also like the wind instruments in all of the songs but especially in Dým which is my favorite song on the album. I even do not mind that some of the songs are a little long. I also like the drums in almost all of the songs. One complaint I have though is that not all of the songs feel like they are meant to be on the same album so it does not feel really connected but I do not really mind it that much since a lot of albums do that. I also do not know Czech so I do not know what they are talking about in any of the songs but later I will do more research into that but overall I think that this is a pretty good album 4/5.

Considered one of the most interesting progressive bands from the former Czechoslavakia, the band U? JSME DOMA (in English "Now I Get It") formed in the border town of Teplice in 1985 before relocating to Prague. The band has its roots in the previous band FPB (Fourth Price Band) which was a hardcore punk band of lead vocalist / guitarist / bassist / keyboardist Miroslav Wanek who joined U? JSME DOMA in 1986 after the band was started by the saxophonists Jindra Dolanský and Milan Nový along with bassist Petr Keřka and guitarists Ota Chlupsa and Jiří Solar. U? JSME DOMA played many illegal concerts with FBB before the latter disbanded and added Wanek to the lineup. The former Czechoslovakia was a communist state until the Velvet Revolution in 1990 and therefore bands like U? JSME DOMA were considered illegal so the act of performing concerts was actually a subversive act that took on the risk of arrest and possible jail time.

Despite the repressive nature of the former communist block of Eastern Europe, the former Czechoslovakia and its proximity to Germany and other Western nature had perhaps the easiest time of it and therefore exquisitely brilliant bands like U? JSME DOMA were able to develop highly complex music behind the scenes even if performing carried the risk of clashing with the communist state. Although there have been many lineup changes over the years, U? JSME DOMA has existed since its inception in 1985 with a new album emerging as recently as 2018. This debut album UPROSTřED SLOV (IN THE MIDDLE OF WORDS) was released in 1990 and showed the band as somewhat of Eastern Europe's answer to the Cardiacs with a stealthy mix of avant-prog mixed with art punk and the jittery Devo styled hyperactivity referred to as zolo.

UPROSTřED SLOV was originally released on the Globus International label in the former Czechoslovakia and consisted of 12 tracks that add up to almost 52 minutes and the album has been re-released on various labels ever since especially after successfully tours through the US and other parts of Europe where they scratched that avant-punk itch. The opening "Amen" reminds me of the Finnish band Höry-Kone with male baritone choral vocals slowly ushering in the punk fueled ska and funk grooves with lots of oddball twists and turns as well as the ubiquitous saxophone counterpoints. Since Wanek was the primary composer, the tracks have a uniformity throughout the album and despite the newly found freedom for the Eastern block, U? JSME DOMA has chosen to release its album with lyrics exclusively in the Czech language which obviously may be a barrier to some but the music is so infectiously clever that it's really not a detriment to the enjoyment of the album as a whole.

Having connections to FBB, U? JSME DOMA delivers an energetic display of punk with more fine-tuned compositional prowess thus landing this band in the small subgenre of punk x prog affectionally called pronk. On the punk side of the equation this band was heavily influenced by acts such as The Damned, Pere Ubu and the Swedish punk act Ebba Grön. From the prog side of things the band took lessons from not only the highly experimental acts like The Residents but also the melodic nature of the Hungarian band Omega and "Hot Rats" era Frank Zappa. Others have pointed out certain similarities to bands like Fugazi and Men At Work however i find many Cardiacs ideas strewn about. Whether these guys were aware of Tim Smith and company is anyone's guess but some of the compositions here have the same feel as albums like "A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window" with a mean mix of progressive pop sensibilities laced with punk bombast, funk grooves, avant-prog technicalities and zolo spastic outbursts. Add to that some bass workouts reminding me of NoMeansNo.

This is an excellent debut that gives a glimpse into the Czechoslovakian underground before the Velvet Revolution allowed musicians to come out of hiding. This album is a solid example of high energy pronk that is fiery and passionate and accompanied by excellent musicianship and instantly addictive melodies and hooky riffs. The astute uses of various vocal styles also adds varied textures to the overall atmosphere of the album. These guys were much more talented than the average punk band and had the chops to deftly hybridize their punk origins with a more demanding prog workout. In many ways this also reminds me of the prog funk / jazz madness of the debut Mr Bungle album so perhaps Mike Patton found an album or two of these guys. While not as ingenious as the Cardiacs, U? JSME DOMA nevertheless unleashed an exhilarating slice of avant-art punk that should be explored by any fans of the Cardiacs seeking similar bands. Out of the many gifts from the former repressed regions of Eastern Europe, U? JSME DOMA is one of the true gems.

This is my first exploration into the background of this Czech band since I discovered their Cuneiform release, Jeskyne (Caves) last year (which found a place in my best-of-2010 list).

The music contained herein fits into the avant-garde category quite nicely, with odd rhythms and weird sounds mixed throughout, but that is not really the appeal of this album. These are simply ingredients used by the band to create what are ultimately inviting, catchy, and fun songs. I have no idea what they are singing about (despite English translations of the lyrics being included in the booklet), and it doesn't really matter, because on sound alone these guys make quite an impact.

The rhythm section is strong and consistent enough to build the framework from which the songs can perform their acrobatics. In this album, it is a tenor sax adding a distinctive flavour (compared to Caves, which used trumpet). The music propels itself forward with a punk-like energy, but there is some maturity to the way it is used here - for sure, this is not just art-punk music. The band has a great sense of dynamics and is able to build into the most energetic, rocking parts in ways that make them sound better than if they had just gone straight to them. This keeps the songs fresh and interesting, even when they are repeating similar themes (as in the title track, which actually has English in it to begin with). The melodies here aren't quite as in-your-face as in my past experience with the band, but instead slowly work their way insidiously into your head and last a lot longer, which I actually find I enjoy more.

This is one of those albums that has so many highlights that it seems like the whole album is full of highlights. It is bookended with great tracks - the opener (Koroze) is a great introduction both to the energy of the band as well as their weirdness (it includes a cry-singing part), and the closer (Jdi tam, nevím kam, přines to, nevím co) is pretty epic - but these aren't even the best tracks on the album. Hollywood just begs you to sing along, Vlazna a sediva is a cool, more chilled piece, Belveder builds up wonderfully, and Jassica has superb energy.

If you are into music with a lot of energy, or music that is weird but has great rhythm to it, this is probably an album you should be checking out.

I cannot help notice a trend in the Scandinavian countries towards punk'ing up folk music and releasing album with this blend. This is not a blend I am fond of. The proper word is "disdain", really.

Unfortunate, this trend has spread to the mainland Europe too.

To my dismay, this album starts with a punk rock song with folk music creeping into the mix too. The vocals (including the football stadium choirs) are typical punk, backed up by some woodwinds and other instruments who plays folk music and folk rock. I gather the band has done some RIO albums before, because Jeskyne does not comes across as a typical RIO/ Avant-Garde album in my books. Not by a country mile. OK, there are some hints of RIO, but that's all.

The music is good throughout. Navij?k is by far the best song here where the punk has taken a bit of a backseat. The rest of the album is OK and at times enjoyable. But I have my strong objections and awards it a weak feeble three stars. Sorry !

3 stars (barely)

Exploring the sonic caves

U? Jsme Doma (pronounced Ooz-smeh Doma) is a Czech Avant-jazz band (U? Jsme Doma translated to "Are We Home Yet" in English, and I will refer to them as UJD). They are a project that has been around since the mid 80's, and has constantly changed and morphed though countless member changes. Caves is a eclectic and truly avant-garde album with a full (at least sounding) brass section, along with a full-fledged rock band (vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keys). The music is a mix of funky jazz, punk rock, and purely avant-garde music, with absolutely maniacal melodies and backing rhythms. The music barely slows down once on the entire album, keeping a head banging beat the whole way through.

Cave is a little sound-fx intro with "cave noises," which flows into Droplet. Droplet opens the album with a smash and the typical catchy funk avant jazz that the album is made up. If I spoke Czech, I could tell you what the lyrics were saying, but I've not a clue. The melodies are extremely odd, but have a certain catchiness to them that makes the song oddly appealing. With most avant-garde music I have to scratch my head to even understand what could possibly happening, but with these songs I can see where they get their amazing peculiarity. A start to a fantastic album!

Abyss is more waltzy-ish, if this could possibly be called a waltz. The 6/8 feel to it makes a great little swing piece, with more avant and catchy melodies. The song has a more prominent piano part rather than the punk-rock guitar chords or (although still prominent) trumpet. The instrumental section is a great little avant solo section with some creative trumpet soloing.

Reel has a more proggy sound to it, with an even more avant-garde backing trumpet melody. The song has a slower and more deliberate beat and punk-rock backed guitar part and more obvious dynamic changes between the "fast" verses and the slower chorus. The polyrhythmic feel to the music is really fun, switching up the feel of the rhythm yet again and keeping the music interesting, as UJD always can do.

Nugget is another softer and more proggy song, with a funky fretless bass and more compassionate vocals and melodies. The punk dynamics are again a great contrast behind the avant-jazz melodies and trumpet work. The song has a great Latin/bossa feel with the funky drum line.

Fascination is one of the most avant-garde and difficult to understand (in a good way) song on the album. With a trumpet melody that makes Bach flip in his grave and peculiar "choral" vocal parts accompanying, the song makes no traditional sense. In an avant-garde mind, however, the song has a great punk-funk-weird-jazzy quality that makes this song even more fun than the rest of them. (Plus, there is a bounty of cowbell!)

Ceilings is one of my favorite tracks on the album. With a great funky polyrhythmic standup bass part and a funky trumpet and piano "duet" accompanying it, the song opens fantastically. The melody and backing piano and trumpet are catchy and powerful. The song has one of the more dynamic song structure, switching from basically straight jazz to punk rock to polyrhythmic rock and avant-garde melodic sections.

Shelter is also one of my favorite tracks. The trumpet melody and punk guitar makes this song an extremely catchy avant-punk rock track. All the individual dynamics between instrumental sections and vocal sections are fantastic, making this an exceptional track. Again the dynamics switch from this to that to something else within only a few seconds, what fun!

Marianne is (what a surprise) another favorite track. This is one of the very few albums that opens strong, and exits even stronger. Out of the all the songs, I think this song has some of the most catchy melodies and creative dynamics and avant properties. The crescendoing instrumental sections, the dynamic guitar playing, the great brass, bass, and drums, and of course that great Czech vocal act make this track really great.

Cranny is in my opinion the official ender and the last track is just a bonus. It is fantastic. It essentially sums up every musical quality explored in the album, which is a great number, if I might say so myself. From punk to jazz to avant-garde to rock to polyrhythmic sections to multi layered melodic sections to so much more, the song is jam packed with some great stuff!

Like I said before, the last track, Lullaby for Anezka, is essentially a little bonus "ballad," with a short length of less than 2 minutes and some quiet instrumentation between standup bass and slight keyboards and vocals. Nothing really special about the track.

ALBUM OVERALL: Caves is an extremely fun ride. With avant-garde melodies and all-over- the-place everything, every song has a special "charm" and quality that make all the music found on the album extremely unique. The obvious main influences are jazz and punk-rock, two genres not often mixed, to make an extremely fun and peculiar sound. Song to song, the composition and quality of the music is fantastic, and the whole album is a blast to listen. Other than its absolute insanity musically, which is what one looks for in an avant-garde album, the album has virtually no flaws, other than a few non-organic sounding basses that sound like a fake bass. It isn't a major flaw but makes the music sound more fake. 5- stars.

If I'm honest, I'm surprised more hasn't been said about this album as of the time of writing. This release is an excellent, high energy release by this Czech band.

The band is composed of your typical drum/bass/guitar/keys/vocals, with the addition of trumpets provided by Adam Tomasek. The trumpets really add a lot of flavour to the music and lend the band a distinctive sound. That sound, by the way, can be described as in-your-face fast-paced music with a punk-like energy. From the moment that the trumpet starts playing on the second track, you know that you are in for quite a ride with this album. (The first track is a less-than-a-minute-long atmospheric track).

There are a total of 11 tracks on the album, a shorter, more atmospheric closer and opener, and then nine "meat" tracks that range in length from 3 and a half to 5 and a half minutes. I am a big fan of the nine main tracks because of their great energy but the opener and closer really serve to tie together the album.

The most energetic and unabashedly catchy ride I've been taken on so far this year. Recommended!

These people are very funny ... and this album shows clearly its connection to the music, the humor and the public. I must say it is not for ears and totally used to the classic in the progressive, but has a large element of dealing with the established, especially in those places. A live album that shows its own celebration with choirs and the public, especially after telephone via the excellent Netu, the crazy Hollywood and all the strength and involvement from there to the end. Kuzelina theme is highlighted with a set of percussion and rhythm, leaving us in mind a theater with people dancing tribally. Funny, no labels to let go.

Funny thing is that their Czech fans are mostly those who loves Punk Rock. I first heard about this album when I was on UJD's gig this autumn (in Pilsen, I was so keen about them that I simply wanted to have a photo with them - and so I did, after bothering band few minutes - they didn't seem bothered at all actually, but I'm just fan, they are artists). It was basically my first experience with them and also my first Prog gig. I have nice poster from this performance, but more important is that I realized few important facts about this music.

Firstly, it is some kind of Czech tradition that a lot of good, progressive (original / interesting) bands comes from Punk roots. This, KNS (that aren't here on PA yet, but I expect them to be) and few others. Secondly, there is usually insanely weird element.

Song names like Valounek (Little Boulder), Stropy (Ceilings) or Puklinka (ahem, "Little Crack", probably in forementioned ceiling). Because this is concept album, there has to be some kind of topic. This topic is Cave, Speleology, exploring the depths of caves, dark tunnels. It's actually quite funny in very surrealistic and crazy way. That's exactly what I like. Of course, your experience (as I suppose this review will be mostly read by English-speaking readers) won't be as good as mine, but don't worry. It's not exactly Frank Zappaesque kind of weirdness, but more unique one, poetic, melancholic, yet funny one. Hard to describe though.

Hard riffs, Ska element in ever-present (and some kind of tradermark) trumpet and as most of their songs/albums, not so noisy (as gigs tends to be).

Wild experience, but exactly what I expecting from U? jsme doma, literally "We're Home Now" (or "We're Home Already"), one of the Czech finest modern bands.

If you're OK with use of trumpet in Prog, you should be fine. And maybe it's just me, but some parts reminds me another Czech Avant groups, "Psí vojáci" (except they aren't that Hard, but not less weird).

5(-), it's maybe too early to give more. But it's possibility, as I don't hear any mistakes. Nothing at all. Only good Avant-Garde wild Punk dipped ride through insane minds of Miroslav Wanek, other band members (who are equally important) with help of talented surrealist artist Martin Velí?ek.

And one more thing - when using these words like "insane" or "weird", I mean it positively, not in a bad way.

It is only because Uz Jsme Doma prominently features trumpet on energetic songs that sometimes emphasize the up-beats that the 1990's infected brain of this Dallas Texas resident keeps wanting to connect musical dots back to "third-wave" USA Ska and/or Latin American music. And although those surface similarities do exist on Uz Jsme Doma's 2010 album Jeskyne,, this music has so much more to offer than that.

Most notably the rhythms are varied and widely syncopated. Ambitious tonality spices up the music just enough to achieve a hint of RIO taste. If you aren't a RIO fan, don't let that intimidate you. This music is very accessible.

I'll go out on a limb and infer that 3 / 4 is the predominant time signature in the popular music of the Czech Republic ? as 3 / 4 (or variants thereof) are the "meat and potatoes" underpinning most of these songs.

The first two tracks lead off the album in a catchy and energetic manner. But it was Track 3 ("Propost") that first caught my ear as something truly special. Although most of the song is in 3 / 4 time, accents make "all the difference" during the introductory sequence: Measure One: Emphasize beat 1 Measure Two: Emphasize beats 1 and 3 Measure Three: Emphasize beats 2 and 3 Measure Four: Emphasize beat 1 Measure Five: Emphasize beats 2 and 3 Repeat

Later in the song we are treated to a passage which repeats 3 measures of 3 beats followed by one measure of 2 beats.

A middle vocal dominated section combines a chant-like vibe with careful use of cowbell. Very different ? and very good!

Navijak (Reel) is an energetic 5/4 tune with nice vocal harmony and no shortage of punchy bass and distorted electric guitar.

Valounek (Nugget) reminds me a bit of the 1980's new wave band Big Country ? if Big Country had a trumpet player, implemented more varied syncopation and a huge dynamic range of course ? so you will have to judge for yourself how valid (or invalid) that reference point it! Facinace (Fascination) Here we get a hyperactive chant in 4 / 4. Bass and guitar play 8 with trumpet answering back for another 8. The syncopated cowbell in the middle of this song is delightful! Unexpectedly, a pastoral passage of acoustic guitar and beautiful vocalizing commandeers the remaining 1:42 of the song.

Stropy (Ceilings) is another standout track. It begins in 13/8. Or it may sound more natural to feel it as two 3/4 measures with a little extra half-beat added at the end of the 2nd measure of 3.

On Mariana (Marianne) a new texture is created by layering an octave lower register vocal line on top of the normal lead vocal.

We have so many 3 measures on this album, that when the band breaks into 4 / 4 on Puklinka, it becomes oddly compelling! The accents are all over the place and they drop a quick 3 measure in sparingly, just often enough to keep us on our toes! The "La La La" sections inject a humor that reminds me of Yezda Urfa.

Special Thanks to Moses for turning me on to this band!

Oh-kay, this is insanity. But conducted with skills of masters. And it's hard to master insanity, as it's more abstract term, than anything real. But I'm afraid that being crazy just isn't enough, that some order has to stand up and raise its flag in this mass of chaos. And I still fail to see it, or the music fails to show it, or even have it inside. So I hope it's just complicated childbirth, that their first album lacks at least some of things I look for in music. I know that I had few problems with this genre, but who has not, it's after all one of the hardest ones.

Actually, I can enjoy it. Maybe it's because of some things that are connected with Czech Republic, which are well known to me, because I live here and also to band, who implemented them into their music. I think that this world-wide-well-known group is better to be heard live, as I'll go to their gig (my 3rd concert ever), 8.8.2009, so I look forward to this moment a lot. And I'm trying as much as possible to get into this, but I realized that it's not like symphonic prog, with each album similar to one another in these important things (get- into-ity to make substantive from it), but every RIO/Avant album brings something new and this new thing kicks me from the rear, when I least expect it. But it can be funny at times.

Names of songs are, well, insane too, completely nonsenses, but that's probably part of the game ("In between the words" - Uprostřed slov, "Gibberish of honeys" - Mek medů, "armchair-man" - Křeslák). So my final conclusion is that I'll probably listen to this voluntarily, but only at certain points of my existence, as I'll return to some normal music after listening this. It's not bad, but needs certain mood of yours, definitely not 24/7 music.

3(+), as I was trying, but failed to understand. Completely understand, because I've managed to get into this, partially.

I'm looking forward to my 1st prog gig. Entry fee is just about 4€, so not so cheap.