KULTUR SHOCK

The thing is (not actually a problem but it might become one if they continue that path) band used more or less same recipe as on the previous album, but without wider aspects of 'world musics' and instruments. In the core it's a four-members Balkan punk (okay, six, members, but most of the time it's sounds like an ordinary rock/metal quartet, sound-wise). However, there IS enough of the worthy material, even segments of really intelligent sublime details, something that pushed 'Kultura' from 'brilliant' to 'masterpiece' status.

Having said that, this album is by no means un-enjoyable. There are some killing tunes; 'Dune' being perhaps the best of the bunch, with it's chorus, incredible bass hook, good riffs, berserk violin. 'Zumbul' and 'Sarajevo' are leaning deeper on traditional Balkan folk values, they're both deeply emotional, reflecting sevdah in many ways. It's a pity non-speakers won't grasp the lyrics, a sorrow spiced up with sprinkles of humour, ornamented in archaic.

'Hashishi' is absolutely unnecessary in this version; I liked the one from previous album much more. On this one, the band is singing the chorus off-key, but that was perhaps their intention: they certainly do sound stoned. That might have some appeal, but after repeated listening it will fall flat. 'Tango la Victoire' is the least likeable; it's sort of a anarchistic/communist flavoured rock tango with Balkan/French Gypsy overtones, and it smells way too much of contemporary 'antiglobalistic' pretentiousness flavour in Che Guevara T-shirt. Nothing wrong with that if you dig to the substance, but this one lacks it. Further, it goes into territories peculiar for the band, miming techno/dance with rock utensils, and if that should have been humorous, it failed miserably. I heard too much of a such cheap tricks in my own country from various 'underground' and 'independent' artists. Pity, it's almost only band's move towards eclecticism on this album. The rest of the track are good, if nothing special. They might need some extra time to grow on a listener.

In general, good but flawed. A few annoying moments; fortunately, much more great ones.

Great, great record, shouting at your face. And hilarious at that. KULTUR SHOCK are a bizarre potpourri of punk, metal, alter, hip-hop, folk (Balkan/Roma, Spanish Gypsy, Indo, Bosnian sevdah).

I won't go into deep analysis of music nor descriptions, let's just say the music reminds me of a most obscen debauchery, Balkan-style. And the whole picture, messy and loud as a Gypsy fair is surrounded by sincere left-winged punk angst, that is screaming and spitting it's lyrics. The result is KULTUR SHOCK - it's a cultural shock indeed, but once it's here, I'm actually surprised it didn't happened before, because it was bound to happen. IF you can read between the lines, you'll realize I like this band a lot - if someone'e existence seems so evident, it must be good to the bone.

The lyrics are derived from typical Balkan-folk lamentations about a woman, unhappy life and alcohol, distorted to the level of parody resembling, but I don't think that's the case - in predictable (yet often charming) folk lyrics, the band is often adding marijuana consumption, rakija drinking, escape from a police patrol and similar rebelry (?) clearly showing they're not ready to make any compromises in their music. Nor in their lifestyles. Such an attitude could be easy explained with bandmembers' personal stories...well, there are plenty of websites where you can check it.

Such a truth coming from a mouth of a lead singer, plus furious energy, is a sign of true milestones in rock music - and I mean THE STOOGES, THE ROLLING STONES, or THE CLASH. They sound nothing like them (well, there's a solid amount of punk within) and in fact, their music is quite complex, dynamic, daring, eclectic and whatnot but they're progressive only coincidentally. It just happened they swallowed it, That, of course, doesn't mean they're less worthy of checking out. So, here's a most sincere band in rock 'n' roll since the days of 'London Calling', it's full of different influences, excellent musicanship and irregular time signatures - like SYSTEM OF A DOWN meets GYPSY KING meets..you name it! Get it, what are you waiting for!?