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Gogol Bordello

Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike (2005)
Side One Dummy Records

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Contributed by: Cos
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on July 28th 2006

Not since Flogging Molly’s Swagger have I heard a record this fun with this much depth. The comparison is apt, because at their base, Gogol Bordello is to gypsy folk what Flogging Molly is to Celtic folk: punked-up and revved up. Seeing them on any label other than SideOneDummy would seem idiotic.

Homes aside, Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike is a record filled to the brim with fun, heart, and booze. Like the best thoughtful punk bands, be it the Clash or Dillinger 4, they know how to walk the tightrope between making you think and making you dance. Gogol Bordello have just the added advantage of violins, accordions, and I don’t know how many different percussionists, but it sure does sound like a lot. There’s also a slew of ska and reggae sounds (complete with toasting) thrown in to ensure the novelty of gypsy punk doesn’t wear thin.

But Gogol Bordello’s biggest strength is Eugene Hutz’s songs. The songwriter and frontman writes from the heart and sings from the gut. He can be completely off-key and his accent borders on comical. Yet, his songs are completely moving and the band molds them each into completely unique works.

With its playing time drifting slightly over an hour, Gypsy Punks can seem like quite the task to get through on the first sitting. But the album's interplay between ballads and rockers, folk and punk, stories and slogans that are enough to pique interest for repeated listenings. Instant classic? Maybe.

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criminal (August 14, 2006)

and eugene hutz your a genious

criminal (August 14, 2006)

gogol bordello are by far one of the best and most original bands i have heard ever
they are cool i love the way they have mixed loads of genre of musics together it is great
and the way the music makes you want to party
if you dont like this music you are really strange (in a bad way)
but wat is it "underdog world strike" or is it just a random name

GlassPipeMurder (August 3, 2006)

eh, it's alright. some of the songs are too long and boring, the singer's English often makes me cringe. I like "Oh No" though, and "Start Wearing Purple" is amusing.

Anonymous (August 3, 2006)

so terrible

Not-to-Regret (August 1, 2006)

Are you serious? mtv.com? hah!

Oldpunker is wise, he likes alot of the same kind of stuff that I do and has a good perspective on the scene. I download and buy a shitload of albums and sometimes I just don't have the time or patience (lazy) to listen to a band that I might not like. I still might download this though...

dietcokeofpunk (August 1, 2006)

" I won't even bother unless someone can give me a good reason."

Make your own decision, or maybe you should go back to mtv.com, and let them tell you what "good" music is.

davebrave4 (August 1, 2006)

Yeah Everything is Illuminated was kickass. I made all my friends watch it and everybody loved it.

And considering the amount of time I waited for a review of this album, I'd say this one falls about a thousand words short of my expectations.

Cos (August 1, 2006)

The ska/reggae bits are sparse. If that's what you're looking for, go somewhere else. Those elements just add a bit of spice to the stew.

Two recommendations: "Not A Crime" for the fast, craziness, and "Illumination" for slow folkiness. And it kicks fucking ass.

--Cos

Anonymous (July 31, 2006)

Your ingnorance is almost charming.

Anonymous (July 31, 2006)

....blast me if you will, but I think Gogol and Flogging Molly are two of the greatest and most innovative "punk" bands out right now........

Xine (July 31, 2006)

One of my favorite albums from start to finish.

Never a dull moment.

And, I agree with the comment about seeing them live. Don't miss the opportunity.

Not-to-Regret (July 30, 2006)

I was going to check this out because of mentions of ska/reggae. That baits me everytime. But I saw that oldpunker said it was "complete shite" and damn if he isn't right everytime. I won't even bother unless someone can give me a good reason.

Cthulhu (July 30, 2006)

Ah yeah, and this is the better "Gypsy-Punk" Band

http://www.zydepunks.com/

Cthulhu (July 30, 2006)

My Klezmer-Punk-Band is sure to come!

Anonymous (July 30, 2006)

Steve Albini "recorded" this (he doesn't "produce" albums). This is more proof what a good "recorder" can do for a band, because, while their previous stuff is good, he really knew what to do with them and hit gold.

Anonymous (July 29, 2006)

I bought a promo of this in the dollar bin back in February and I have to say, it's one of the rare albums that blew me away the first time I listened to it. "Illumination" is a beautiful song.

telegraphrocks (July 29, 2006)

Score is simply for the song "Sally".

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

if your amish punk band is as catchy and good as this sure

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

Im sorry i meant,below the guy below me...

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

To the person below:
Thanks for your input Side One Dummy publicity dept. What a great idea!
Hey,I wanna send you guys a copy of my "Amish Punk" band. Can I get your mailing address?

gladimnotemo (July 28, 2006)

I love that people are saying "Oh, yeah, I love GYPSY PUNK"....augh.

The guy from this band in "Everything Is Illuminiated" was great, though.

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

Let's think of the term "gypsy punk."

if gypsys played punk rock this IS what it would sound like. it fits!

it's gypsy music infused with punk rock.

dispute this please with facts and ill give you a blowjob

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

this band rips ! cant be followed live, totally devestating

nocigar (July 28, 2006)

this album sucks...and they suffer from flogging molly syndrome

you suck, and you suffer from a much worse syndrome than the one you mentioned.

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

But slapping the word "punk" on something to sell a few thousand copies to ignorant Warped tour culture is. This band has been around for ages. Ever see em' play a "punk" show before?

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

A gimmick is wearing horror movie masks. Immigrating to the United States from Eastern Europe and keeping those influences is not a gimmick.

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

to all the people that scream " gimmick" about Flogging Molly?, this is really a band where the term " gimmick" fits, pure shite-oldpunker-

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

fuck this music is just fucking ridiculous, that being said I'm a ridiculous drunk and I love it. You have to have a sense of humour about this sort of thing.

- apk

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

great live show

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

I've had this record for a few months now, and while I do enjoy parts of it, I have a hard time getting past the halfway mark.

I just can't really connect/relate to it as I do other styles of "punk." Maybe it's because I'm a 30 year old white guy with an office job in the suburbs of New Orleans. Who knows.

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

gogol bordello would making a great live accompaniment to some huge, world tetris championship tournament.

danperrone (July 28, 2006)

this album sucks...and they suffer from flogging molly syndrome

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

great stuff has more edge than any of those strike anywhere type bands and more guts than any of all those emo shit

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

Roma is not the same thing as Romanian.

ilikepunkrock (July 28, 2006)

This is the only good album reviewed this week, constants is kind of cool to listen to but they don't really sing, and the bronx just isn't very enjoyable in my opinion. All the emo/screamo/hardcore shit also isn't very enjoyable to listen to in my opinion. Gogol Bordello is enjoyable to listen to. Has anyone seen "Everything is Illuminated" with the lead singer of Gogol Bordello, I thought it was a good movie.

dolorBrigand (July 28, 2006)

this band is great. if you ever get a chance to see them live don't pass it up.

allbutone (July 28, 2006)

i really wish that karl alvarez hadn't joined this band....

Anonymous (July 28, 2006)

How do you say "dogshit" in Romania?

DenBez (July 28, 2006)

I really, really hate this shit.