SVE JE U REDU

The previous Mlinarec's album "Negdje postoji netko" already showed signs of crisis, but this one, the fifth album "Sve je u redu" (It's All Right), despite its title, is clearly a weaker one. It was done again in collaboration with pianist and producer N. Franges and his backing band. The style is similar to that of the previous album - mainly acoustic, with guitars and piano as lead instruments and typical singer/songwriter laid back sound, with some American style folk-rock spices.

"Glas s broja 514 913" (The Voice From Number 514 913) and "Ne brini doktore" (Don't Worry, Doctor) sound as good old Bob Dylan epics. "Penzioneri" (The Pensioners) brings interesting jazzy violin solo and percussion in a slow tempo. "Mora da sam bio mlad" (I Must Have Been Too Young) and "Svi sve znaju" (Everybody Knows Everything) are mediocre mainstream rock tracks, with captivating chorus but not engaging enough. The 10-minute ambitious epic suite "Cirkus" starts slowly and builds up with piano, electric guitar and fine drums and organ. It reminds of Mlinarec's earlier progressive epics from previous albums. It goes and goes, interchanging solos between guitar and piano... "Cesta" (The Road) closes the album with another acoustic piano-led ballad, a sort of rather boring melancholic Elton John...

Actually, there is nothing particularly wrong with this album. It is just not up to the high standards set with previous albums and especially given Mlinarec's reputation as the leader of GRUPA 220 and his strong authorship. The entire sound and production is flat and, while quite listenable, it doesn't produce that "certain feeling" in a listener. Even with excellent cover art it is hard to give more than 3 stars to this album, which should have been renamed into "Something's Wrong"! That Mlinarec himself was aware of these facts, the next album, done with entire different producer and backing musicians, was to confirm.