CO ZNAMENÁ VÉSTI KONě

This was a big disappointment after their amazing debut from 1978.This album was released in 1981 and is much more restrained and solemn.The humour and dynamics of the debut that I loved so much are gone leaving us with a dry and melancholic album overall.

"Co Znamena Vest Kone" has this repetitive beat as vocals and viola come and go.There's quite a depressing mood to this one. Get used to it. "Slovo Ma Na Buben" is solemn with mono- toned vocals. It kicks in after 2 minutes with theatrical vocals then it settles again. It's solemn again before 4 1/2 minutes. "Samson" is better as the drums pound with vocals and viola singing and playing over top. Spoken words before 2 minutes are brief then it's back to the singing. "P.F." has a cool rhythm as outbursts of vocals and yelling come and go. "Majova" features viola and clarinet. Some brief vocals then viola and drums lead the rest of the way.

"Delirium" has more viola and drums as vocals come and go. "Fotopneumaticka Pamet" has these almost spoken words and a beat and he speaks out a few hallelujahs along the way. This goes on for way too long. "Rozvaha Neuskodi Ani Kureti" is fairly slow paced with vocals, viola and a beat. "Mse" has some life to start but settles quickly with viola and vocals. Clarinet and drums too. "Osip" is the longest track at over 11 minutes. Almost spoken words over a bleak soundscape until it starts to pick up a little 3 minutes in when the vocals stop. The sax and bass become prominant. I miss the chunky bass that was so out front on the debut, well here it is finally. The song slowly slows right down.

A tough listen but I know i'm comparing it too much to the debut.