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Gogol Bordello

Multi Kontra Culti Vs. Irony
2004
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Gogol Bordello - Multi Kontra Culti Vs. Irony (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Jesse
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Published on October 29th 2004

Gogol Bordello is the brainchild of musical madman Eugene Hutz, and is a complete mess of dancebeats, Balkan gypsy music, and punk. With varied instrumentaion including saxophone, violin, accordian, and drums, bass, and guitar, we get a crazy ethnic explosion of genre mixing. Some people might describe them as the Bulgarian version of Flogging Molly. I guess that's sort of what they are. But with dance beats.

On this release, Hutz gives us eleven tracks of insanity, varying tempos, but never intensity. The listener gets consistently blasted by Hutz's heavy drawling growl and his word reversal, thick with accent. The saxophone, violin, and accordian mix beautifully and are played quick, sharp, and robustly. The bass and guitar are generally just a background for the rest of the instruments to shine greatly.

The problem is that it gets a little old after awhile. Their side project, J.U.F. is a bit more varied, while this is a lot more straightforward. I'd say this is definitely geared towards those who like straight forward punk, while J.U.F. is for those who appreciate experimental music more.

Tracks that stick out are "When the Trickster Starts A-Poking" and "Punk Rock Parranda."

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 8, 2005 at 11:23 PM (EDT)

album doesnt do the band justice....if you see one band this year, see these dudes....tho try to make it not be @ warped, prolly will take away from the fact that they put on one of the best live shows youve ever seen....i mean, how often does a show end with the lead singer riding a bass drum across the crowd? baro foro!!!!

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 6, 2004 at 3:38 AM (EST)
My Score:

This kind of punk is called cabaret punk.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 4, 2004 at 10:17 PM (EST)
My Score:

I just saw these guys at Irving Plaza in New York and they blew me away!!! They are without a doubt one of the best punk bands around. What ever you do and wherever you are.....see this band live!! They are like Iggy Pop meets a band of wild gypsies!! Incredible!!

Posted by AnaMorph0sIs on 2004-10-30 21:37:49
My Score:

These guys are great live. Check 'em out.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 30, 2004 at 2:16 PM (EDT)
My Score:

They are Bulgarian, or at least they they say they are. At their shows they have Golgo Bordello newspapers to promote themselves and it mentions Bulgeria...A LOT.

Anyway, I suggest to everyone to go see these guys live. One of the most fun shows I've ever been to. The room of a Golgo show always becomes full of dancing fools

Posted by Hulka on 2004-10-30 13:09:54
My Score:

They're Ukrainian, no? Not Bulgarian.

Posted by xmidipunkbastardx on 2004-10-30 05:20:43
My Score:

gogol bordello > rest. (except for hüdü)
still, jesse, i'll never forgive you the funeral diner review.

Posted by johnrambo on 2004-10-29 20:59:09
My Score:

Gah!

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