THE PLASTIC PEOPLE OF THE UNIVERSE & AGON ORCHESTRA - PASIJOVÉ HRY / PASSION PLAY

This is the live version of their 1980 studio album and performed as a tribute to their deceased bass player Milan Hlavsa. A 20 piece orchestra helps out on this 2004 release.This does sound quite different from their eighties albums as we don't have that catchy rhythm of bass and horns. Perhaps that's because of the subject matter on this concept album. I'll use the English song titles provided but the vocals are in their native Czeck language.

'Exodus" opens with the audience clapping before sounds and outbursts come and go including orchestral ones. It turns dark with sparse sounds. Nice. Spoken words before 5 minutes to the end. "For It Is The Lord's Supper" has this beat as passionate spoken words join in. Vocals follow and they come and go along with the spoken words. "The Sermon On The Mount" is dissonant to open then a calm arrives. It's dark as spoken words come and go both male and female.

"What Need Have We Of A King" has these almost spoken words with a beat and horns. It blends into "I Am Innocent Of Blood" as this sound continues. "I Have Sinned" opens with horns. It's dark and vocals follow with percussion. Percussion only to end it as it blends into "Trinity" where the piano joins the percussion. Strings and vocals join in. It's intense and eerie. It lightens late and blends into "Father !". It settles quickly with spoken words. It then picks up with vocals. Spoken words and guitar follow as contrasts continue. A fair amount of piano too. Dissonant horns after 8 minutes. "Dark Night" opens with strings with a beat. Guitar before 3 1/2 minutes. Dissonant horns come in. Spoken words after 7 1/2 minutes with no music. A loud yell ends it then we get applause from the crowd.

3.5 stars. I may bump this up but again because it's a concept album I feel the music takes a back seat at times to the narration. Lots of great passages here though regardless.

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