XANTIPA

An album of an EP size, Xantipa is really nothing special - even if you're favourite genre is heavy prog. Because this is 100% pure heavy prog, with two URIAH HEEP covers - and much more more or less direct quotations of URIAH HEEP's melodies here and there.

The sound is more or less awful. The delivery is clumsy to say the least.

The original tunes are not too inspired, nor original. The cover one are 10 times weaker than the originals.

This is certainly not an essential record.

However, I might recommend it to you if you don't mind clumsy performance (the organist is certainly not an outstanding technician) and bad production, because this little record have a HEART. And that is something I appreciate a lot in any kind of rock music - if it sounds sincere, warm, naive - it will mostly likely caught my attention.

'Bílý vrány' and 'Hrej se mnou fair' (which means'White Crows' and 'Play Fair With me' respectively - thanks both to MartyMcFly89 and Libor10 for that!) are, as mentioned, the two URIAH HEEP covers, of 'Easy Livin'' and 'Look At Yourself' respectively. . If you do know the originals, you will probably realise that SYNKOPY's main influence was one hell of a band, full of energy, and with great production. These version are sort of poor man's heavy rock - but, again, the charm is ranking them higher, and all the negative connotations are actually making them more charming. Even if this is not your type of music, you might wonder what will happen with these guys in the near future: will they turn into more awful and generic pop, some hard rock clichees, or perhaps develop their progressive side, as it could be heard in 'Ptačí sonáta', arguably the best output on 'Xantipa'.

If you'll investigate further, this band will provide some pleasant surprises. Actually, this one comes as a little but pleasant surprise too.

'Xantipa' is definitively much less ugly than it's Greek Mythology predecessor.

I understand Moris (clarke2001), why he feels about this album like that. Don't forget that these songs aren't actually 1974, I think that they were recorded, or intended much earlier (something like these albums from 70's that get released not before 1990's). But I like it. I like the way, how playful these songs are performed. Someone will like it too, some may not, that's the life. I appreciate that Mr. Mateljan liked at least some elements of it, as I have great share of respect for his taste (and fondness of Czech music).

4(-), believe it or not my readers. I'll try to explain it little bit more. Try to read my other Synkopy reviews, you'll understand. And for example song Xantypa, these little details here that makes it interesting for me. I don't know if it's because of the language they're singing in (try to guess which one it is, hehe). The best one here is Zelený lučišník ("Green Archer") with story roughly following the one of Robin Hood.

It's almost shocking the change in styles between this EP from 1974 and the EP from 2 years earlier. They've gone from a sixties singles mode to a heavy organ led seventies sound. The vocals are more intense as well but still in that Czech language.

"Xantipa" opens with organ as a heavy sound kicks in. Vocals are powerful and we get a guitar solo before 2 minutes. The organ dominates though throughout. "Zeleny Lucisnik" opens with organ as well as it builds. I really like this one, especially the guitar. Vocals join in and some harmonies later. Great tune and a top three. "Brouk" opens with strummed guitar as vocals join in. A catchy but straightforward song. "Easy Livin" is of course a cover of the URIAH HEEP track and they do a good job. "Balon" is such a great track with the huge bass lines, organ, flute and guitar. A top three. "Ptaci Sonata" is the other top three for me. Organ, drums and strings to start then it settles beautifully reminding me of RPI for some reason as the vocals come in. It does pick up at times. "Look At Yourself" is the closer and the other URIAH HEEP cover. Again a good job by the boys and the organ runs are killer.

Like the previous EP I just get way too much joy out of this not to give up four stars.

One of the earlier, if not the earliest, rock bands from Czech Republic, formed as Synkopy 61 in 1960 in Brno by Petr Smeja (guitars), Jiri Rybar (drums), Pavel Pokorny (violin, guitar, vocals), Petr Fischer (clarinet), Milos Orsag (accordion), joined a year later by Jan Canvas (bass) and Pavel Smilek (keyboards).However it wasn't until 1969 and after some line-up changes when the band appeared in discography with several singles to follow.A short LP was recorded in 1974 for the Panton label under the title ''Xantipa''.

By the time Smeja, Rybar, Pokorny and Canvas were joined by Michal Polak on acoustic guitars and tambourine with some guest musician on wind instruments.As Synkopy 61 had already incorporated a Western style of rock music since late-60's their sound was heavily based on organs and strong guitars along with some West-Coast alike vocal lines and their style was very unoriginal with heavy DEEP PURPLE and URIAH HEEP leanings.They even covered the ''Easy livin'' track of the later with Czech lyrics, while the original material had strong elements from both these bands.Groovy organ parts and some jamming sections, melodic singing, a powerful rhythm section and hard guitar riffs.Some tracks offer also orchestral string arrangements, flute drives and brass sections, rather dated for today's standards but nevertheless nicely arranged.

''Xantipa'' remains a collectable LP in its original form, fortunately a CD reissue along with two more Synkopy albums appeared recently from FT Records, making this album recommended, especially if you are a fan of organ-driven Heavy Rock of the 70's.