Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony

Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony

Editorial Reviews
Ben Sisario, New York Times, April 2002
Their sound is raucous, sweaty, tuneful and recklessly vibrant, like the punk and Gypsy music that inspired them.

Product Description
The sound of New York's Gogol Bordello is a combination of reckless fervor, foot-stomping rhythms, outlandish lyrics and a circus of surreal stimuli that leaves progressive minded music fans spinning in the their wake. Drawing upon Gypsy, Slavic and punk-rock traditions, Gogol Bordello is the genesis of a new aesthetic that bridges the gap between Eastern European and Gypsy influence with Western culture. This new direction in music is singer/lyricist/visionary Eugene Hutz's passion, who uses the term "Ukrainian Gypsy Punk Cabaret" to describe their singular sound. "The title of the new album sums of the spirit of the band and the people around it. Gogol Bordello is about creating new musical possibilities. We all come from a very distinct tradition of music that is largely driven by Eastern European sounds, visions and colors as well as punk rock and street culture. We're a multicultural unit with an underdog energy and a sense of humor, although a pretty twisted one," says Hutz.

Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony

Tracks:

When The Trickster Starts A-Poking (Bordello Kind of Guy)
Occurrence on the Border (Hopping on a Pogo-Gypsy Stick)
Haltura
Let's Get Radical
Smarkatch
Future Kings
Punk Rock Parranda
Through the Roof 'n' Underground
Baro Foro
Hats Off To Kolpakoff
Huliganjetta

Album Description

The sound of New York's Gogol Bordello is a combination of reckless fervor, foot-stomping rhythms, outlandish lyrics and a circus of surreal stimuli that leaves progressive minded music fans spinning in the their wake. Drawing upon Gypsy, Slavic and punk-rock traditions, Gogol Bordello is the genesis of a new aesthetic that bridges the gap between Eastern European and Gypsy influence with Western culture. This new direction in music is singer/lyricist/visionary Eugene Hutz's passion, who uses the term "Ukrainian Gypsy Punk Cabaret" to describe their singular sound. "The title of the new album sums of the spirit of the band and the people around it. Gogol Bordello is about creating new musical possibilities. We all come from a very distinct tradition of music that is largely driven by Eastern European sounds, visions and colors as well as punk rock and street culture. We're a multicultural unit with an underdog energy and a sense of humor, although a pretty twisted one," says Hutz.

Customer Reviews:

Versus Irony.......2006-06-15

Balkan punk band Gogol Bordello made it big in the last year with their latest album, a movie cameo and lots of good press.

But like many bands who find success, Gogol Bordello actually have had a number of solid gypsy-punk albums before this. And "Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony" is right up there among their best -- sprightly, energetic and raw. It's completely insane and quite entertaining.

It starts off with a stop-start accordion melody that bobs in and out, until it's joined by a grinding guitar and frontman Eugene Hutz. "I walked into the bar/a man came up to me and said/you know the older you will get/the more PERVERTED you will get!" he sings in his heavy accent. Sounds like he's relishing every moment of this.

It sets the tone for the entire album -- gypsy music with a punk flair (or vice versa). "Ocurrence on the Border [Hopping on a Pogo-Gypsy Stick]" is a whirlwind of fast electric guitar and accordion, while "Let's Get Radical" is a grimy, slow-burning rock song, light on the gypsy and heavy on the punk.

But quite a few songs are heavy on the traditional elements: "Through the Roof 'n' Underground" is a slower number with a catchy tune, and "Hats Off to Kolpakoff" sounds like a rogue fiddler playing a little ditty on the streets. And the exhilarating "Baro Faro" is probably the best on this album: a nine minute stretch of wild fiddling and clashing rock rhythms.

You definitely have to admit that Gogol Bordello doesn't sound like any other rock band. They don't even sound like other Eastern-European-influenced bands like Balkan Beat Box or Beirut. They sound, in short, like your basic Balkan folk band that was forcibly conquered by a hyperactive clown punk.

So don't be surprised by what you hear -- a colourful clash of rock and folk, with electric guitar and smashing percussion duking it out with fiddles and accordion. It's that way from beginning to end (except for a few interludes of folkier music). The actual melodies are often traditional-sounding, but played with jagged punk fervour and twisted edges.

Eugene Hutz has a way of letting rip at machine-gun speed, or drawling the songs out at length. It's a bit hard to tell what he's singing though; his accent is as thick as a marble floor. But if you can decipher the lyrics, you'll find that they are A) funny, B) weird, C) profane and D) insane. Don't bother finding out the words -- just listen to that raw, howling voice.

If you can remember the difficult title ("Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony"), then check out one of Gogol Bordello's most cohesive, solid albums. Worth checking out for anyone who loves colourful, flavourful punk.

one of very few cd's i've bought in a long time.......2005-03-29

After hearing them live in one of the clubs in Boston I loved this band especially for their energy. After the show I decided to buy the cd. The cd is far from displaying the energy I saw on stage, however i'd say it's one of my favorite cd's. The lyrics don't make much sense and the guy's accent is really heavy, however the music overall is great.

Something Different..........2004-04-21

Being a fan of mostly punk rock music... I decided to give this a try. This record is highly entertaining, very fun and very original. I didnt even know that "gypsy-punk" existed untill I heard this. The musicianship is quite good as well. Chanty, boot stompin' songs with accordians and fiddles. I like it. I reccomend this if you like the more folky brands of punk rock (ie Swingin' Utters, Tossers, etc.) So, if you're willing to give something different a try, go ahead and pick this up.

If only this captured the energy of the show ..........2004-03-29

Saw these guys play live last night. Never heard of them before then. I bought the CD from one of the band members after the show and jumped around in the car all the way back home. Biggest disappointment: the CD doesn't quiet capture the wild energy of the live show, where people couldn't help but to jump around like crazy and drum away on nearby tables. It's still a cool CD though, I definitely don't regret buying it.

Crazy Fast Punk Accordian.......2003-06-11

Wow. this is different. Punk ukranian avant garde stuff.
I really like the different instruments and the energy of this group. They are touring this summer in Europe, hopefully next year I can catch em in the US.

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