Gogol Bordello
Gypsy Punks Underdog World Strike

The strange story of Gogol Bordello: the band was born from the union of Eastern European immigrants, among whom the mustached singer Eugene Hutz stands out. He fled his country following the Chernobyl disaster and, after traveling for 7 years throughout Europe (including Italy and Spain), he landed in the Big Apple, where he met the other members of the band. Their first experiences were without many ambitions (they played at the weddings of other Eastern European immigrants), but gradually, the project grew and became a cult name in the underground circuit.

Their style is defined as "gypsy punk," a union between classic punk rock and sounds from various cultures: Romani, Balkan, Ukrainian. This translates into tracks where Brecht's surreal theater meets Bregovic, and where even an a-musical language like Ukrainian perfectly fits with the music, sometimes with a frenetic rhythm where guitars mix with violins and accordions in a crazy sonic vortex, but also in more lyrical and introspective pieces. This album, released in 2005 and produced by none other than Steve Albini, is their third effort and is the one that introduced them to the Italian audience.

The album opens with "Sally," a track with an almost drunken and staggering melody (like all other tracks), driven by the guitar and the frenzied violin with an anthemic chorus shouted at full lungs. It is followed by the very fast "I Would Never Be Young Again" and "Not a Crime," in my opinion one of the best songs on the album, where there's the best fusion between punk and Balkan sounds, in which the central part features guitar and accordion weaving oriental melodies. "Immigrant Punk" almost seems like reggae married with Eastern European folklore, while "60 Revolutions" stands out for its hard chorus and the final part of the lyrics sung in Spanish. After these euphoric tracks, we have a pause with "Avenue B" and its poetic acoustic arpeggios, and the incredible "Dogs Were Barking" where, in the second half of the track, we're immersed in an almost dub atmosphere that reminds us Hutz is also an acclaimed DJ. "Oh No" is mainly folk, followed by the song competing with "Not a Crime" for the title of best track, "Start Wearing Purple," the most playful episode with the most engaging chorus. Next is the no-global provocation "Think Locally Fuck Globally." It might seem like a political track, but it's just a pretext for another fun and carefree song. The title track features Clash-like atmospheres and almost psychedelic in the central interlude, thanks to the dissonant sounds of violin and accordion. The following three tracks are dominated by acoustic guitar; among them, "Santa Marinella" stands out, rich in '50s melodies and Italian curses (listen to believe). The long semi-instrumental "Mishto!" closes the album.

An essential listen for fans of bands like Manu Chao or Ska-P, but also for those who want to spend an hour with one of the most interesting entities in the alternative circuit.

RATING=7.5