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Ota Petrina - Super Robot CD (album) cover

SUPER ROBOT

Ota Petrina

 

Symphonic Prog

3.92 | 41 ratings

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AtomicCrimsonRush
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars "Super Robot" is a super debut from Czechoslovakian Virtuosos

"Super Robot" is the debut 1978 album of Czech art rock band Ota Petřina and an absolute aural delight; from the moment the harmonica chimes out I was hooked. The incredible acoustic flourishes and effervescent spacey guitar begins to dominate with sublime sustained keyboard pads layered underneath. The opening track, 'Já nejsem já (I'm Not Me)' is excellent symphonic prog, approached with an original flair from the virtuoso musicianship of Ota Petřina's incredible guitar work, Vladimir Padrůněk's basslines, Jan Neckář's keyboard skills and Anatoli Kohout's drumming. One of the most outstanding components of the group is their inbuilt talent of allowing musicians to breathe with solos and often instruments are not played almost in respect to other musicians to flourish when the mood is right. This is not just an instrumental group, and Petřina's vocals begin after 5 minutes of blissful music. His voice is akin to the type heard on a lot of RPI, clean, not falsetto, not deep, but middle of the range and very easy to listen to. I have to admit the guitars on this are phenomenal and this is a highlight for all the reasons mentioned.

The next track, 'Čas neodeslaných dopisů (Time of Unsent Letters), begins immediately with clanging guitars and Petřina's accompanying vocals that I have already become accustomed to. I have no idea of the content as it is all in Czech, but it is a beautiful language and, in a similar way to Italian prog, I am not detracted from this. The verses continue and I am reminded of Pink Floyd at times, with the haunting guitar swoops and dives.

'Nebýt tebe (If Not For You)' has a distinct bluesy feel, the bass is strong and definite on this, and those ever present guitar licks are very pleasant. The vocal performance is one of feeling and soul, and I begin to wish more and more I could understand such passionate lyrics. At 2:05 a sensational lead solo with antagonistic shrieks and huge bends cranks out, one of the best on the album, almost in a style like Steve Hackett but distinctly original. Then it settles with a powerful descending bass line, bringing a melancholy atmosphere back. Petřina 's voice builds up to more emotionally charged anger and painful outbursts, obviously crying out to his loved one, he even cries out at the end from his soul. I like the way he doesn't really care about how off tune he may sound, the real treat is the whole attitude and emotion in the performance.

'Tak zazpívej jí blues (So Sing Her Blues)' features an acoustic intro with more deep bass that keeps a constant rhythm, the lead riffs remind me of Wishbone Ash for some reason here. The vocals are once again overwhelmingly replete with a heartrending emotional thrust. It is not as bluesy as previous track and the way the time sig changes is admirable.

'Podivín (Weirdo)' is a short transitional track reminiscent of the short Steve Hackett moments in the early Genesis years. It is primarily acoustic on acoustic with slides and picking. Quite lovely, and featuring a burst of vocals to compliment the music and I heard the word "grammaphone" on this too.

'Computer III. Generace (Computer III. Generation)' has a heavy low guitar riff and is reminiscent of early Black Sabbath. It is a captivating track amongst all the symph of previous and I love the pulsating heaviness, Wishbone Ash guitar styles merged with echo twangs on guitar and those vocals are full of Hammillist conviction. This is my favourite track on the album, it absolutely rocks. The instrumental break is innovative, three guitars layered and a very dreamy guitar solo that develops into a cutting edge blues motif, and sparkling twin guitar playing similar to Bachman Turner Overdrive or Wishbone Ash again. The resemblance to these bands is striking yet it feels so refreshingly original. The structure is organic and lucid, flowing easily into one section after another. I was mesmirised by this.

The last track is a mini epic clocking in at 11:34, the title track 'Super Robot'. I hoped for something that would blow me away after all the excellent previous tracks. It did not do that but it was still an absorbing experience. It begins quite moderately with strong verses and guitar motifs. I noticed the keyboards were absent for much of the last tracks, and now they return with some well executed harmonies, which was a nice enhancement. Once again it is noteworthy to say the vocals are imperfect, Petrina wavers and quivers off key at times, but they somehow work well with this type of music. The music becomes like a 'Musical Box' Genesis tribute at 2:37, a very lulling sound, with spellbinding guitar work, and Petřina even speaks some lines. At 3:45 a magnetic lead break ensues bringing the mood up considerably. The same melody continues and this is more like Genesis at this point than anything I can think of. When he sings "Super Robot" he trills the 'R' sound, and we are reminded of the uniqueness of the language which many may mistake for pure Russian. At 5:58 a massive blast of frenetic percussion kicks in and there is a lengthy passage of spacey synthesizer and loud twanging guitars. This part is amazing. It stops at 6:30ish and a new riff is played with some strange spoken vocals that are phased out, almost like an announcement. The melody returns on acoustic with soothing orchestrated mellotron sounds. There is a calming passage with restful harmonics and an ominous pad of synth. Very loud vocals follow with Petrina's voice mixed to the forefront of the sound. He is even more wavering, unable or unwilling to hold the note, and it is this type of forceful style that makes this compelling. I am not a fan of the next section with the overabundance of "ya ya ya ya ya ya" and it goes on for quite a while. However it is hypnotic and I am able to hook into that off beat guitar lick. The music fades to a stream of water effect but the vocals are consistent and the album is drawing to a close. It ends abruptly and a wonderful album has caressed my ears.

Astounding at times, dynamic instrumentation, and imperfect certainly, but some of the most vibrantly compelling music I have had the pleasure to hear. 4 shining stars.

AtomicCrimsonRush | 4/5 |

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