U INAT GODINAMA (1964-1999)

It is always a tricky job to evaluate each new INDEXI release containing previously released material. The band was notorious for absence of proper studio-recorded albums (only two albums in their entire 40 years career!), so the compilations of previously released songs, mostly from numerous 7" EPs and singles, were the norm for the band. Unfortunately and due to unsettled publishing and copyrights in the former Yugoslavia, many labels issued simultaneously different "best of"-type compilations with similar selection of songs and even similar CD titles, so a person not acquainted with the work of this remarkable pop and rock band is often left astray with a choice of poor anthologies and take-the-money-and-run style of certain "gold" or "platinum" collections.

"U inat godinama" ("In Spite Of the Years") is a 2CD collection that does not belong to the above category. Issued by Croatia Records, a legal successor to Jugoton who had issued the most of their prog titles, it presents perhaps the best collection of the progressive rock side of the band with literally none of the vocal pop/schlager/easy listening tunes, which were always present in different quantities on their earlier compilations. Therefore, this title is extremely important for the progressive rock community in general.

Special treat for the collectors are five tracks of previously unreleased early songs showcasing the band's strong involvement in the mid-1960s British Invasion sound. These include covers of THE BEATLES' "A Hard Day's Night" and THE ROLLING STONES' "Time Is On My Side" as well as the first vocal song of INDEXI, "Dječak iz obične ulice" ("The Boy From Ordinary Street") recorded in early 1965 with the then newcomer Davorin Popović as lead singer. Actually, almost entire Disc 1 (first 11 tracks including these 5 rarities) was already published as a single promo CD in September 2006 following the concert tribute to INDEXI in Sarajevo and promotion of the INDEXI biography by Josip Dujmović under the same title "U inat godinama". That promo CD was not widely available since it was shared free of charge with a Sarajevo magazine, so its inclusion here is more than welcome.

Dujmović is the man who deserves all credits for the selection of songs. He was brave enough not to include any of sleazy mainstream ballads (from the prog point of view of course; the musical quality of many of these is nevertheless high) and festival hits on this double disc collection, opting instead for progressive rock tracks. Arguably all essential prog moments of INDEXI are present here, with possible exception of "Dvojnik" and "Hej ti", but it is my general observation rather than a critique. The CD contains a nicely designed informative booklet with short chronological details about each of the songs and some rare photos and cover images.

"U inat godinama" is much better compilation than similarly packed 2CD Komuna release "Sve ove godine-Best of Indexi 1962-2001", so it is absolutely recommended for any prog listener.

PERSONAL RATING: 4,5/5 P.A. RATING: 5/5