AKUSTICNA TRAUMA

This double live set represents the last release of PGP RTB label and captures LEB I SOL at Zagreb's "Kulusic" Club which was a "Mecca" for live recordings during the most prolific era of ex-Yugoslav rock scene in the 1980s. The band is stripped to the bone here, in the basic rock trio of drums, guitar and bass, with raw sound and engaging musicianship. Personally, I can still remember many of their gigs at Sarajevo in that period and this album closely represents the repertoire they usually performed. Songs from their last and up to that point the weakest album "Sledovanje" sound better here, without studio manipulations, especially "Lokomobila" and "Mile Pop Jordanov". On the other hand compositions from their first three "classic" albums are played differently (they had to cover the loss of the keyboards), but not always to a succesfull results. Djuricic on drums is still not on par with others, although he is trying hard. Perhaps the most interesting tracks on this set are "Ziva rana", which is extended to 21 minutes improvisational jam and "Bonus", which developed from a short acoustic coda vignette from "Leb i Sol 2" to a full length song that would remain their concert favourite in many years to come. I always hesitate to recommend "live" albums because I do not really trust their documentary nature. But, in this case I remember well the LEB I SOL concerts and this record truly represents their potentials on stage, even you may get a sense of being there. "Akusticna trauma" is a very good LEB I SOL performance and it is recommended purchase, if you find it reissued on CD!

This was LEB I SOL's first live release from 1982. It was a double album and I noticed fairly quickly that there were no keyboards to my surprise. So we basically get a power trio here of sorts with lots of instrumental music featuring in your face bass and drums with intricate guitar work often playing over top.

The first four tracks of this concert are exactly as I just described it. All instrumental with chunky bass lines, crisp drumming and guitar over top. It's not until the fifth song "Utrinska Tema" that we get the first vocal track. A popular tune from the band that really moves me.Vocal melodies late. Amazing but too short. This is followed by "Mile Opo Jordanov" which starts slowly but then kicks in with drums around a minute. Another instrumental in "Ajde Sonce Zajde" follows (and it's a killer) before we get four straight vocal tracks to end the first album. Up first is "Kumova Slama" which is relaxed as faint vocals join in.The guitar replaces the vocals and leads the rest of the way. "Runci Rad" picks up quickly and the vocals join in.This is excellent ! I really like the guitar. Vocals are back late.

"Talasna Duzina" is laid back with the focus on the vocals. Beautiful. "Nisam Tvoj" is another classic LEB I SOL tune. Gotta love the bass in this one. The second album becomes with "Ziva Rana" which is an extended jam with vocals. Lots of tempo shifts in this one. "Bonus" opens with bass and drums as the crowd claps along. Vocals before a minute.It's fuller 2 minutes in as the guitar starts to solo. It settles back when the vocals return. "Kokoska" has a good guitar intro as huge bass with drums join in. Check out the guitar 2 minutes in. "Aber Dojde Donke" is different with those drum and guitar outbursts. "Damar" ends it as this is the encore track.Intricate guitar to start then the tempo picks up. Great sound. Huge bass lines here too. What a fantastic way to end it.

Easily 4 stars. Man I enjoyed this recording. I think it's the prominant bass and interesting guitar work that drew me in.There is quite a bit of variety too and vocals.