Customer Reviews

City of Hysteria

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This band has several members who were in the Plastic People of the Universe, a nationally revered art-rock band from Czech who were very influential in the '60s. The music here is fairly different from the other band. This is dark, moody stuff. My only real comparison would be that it inhabits much the same sonic territory as "Book Of Days" (Psych Furs). It "rocks" without really rocking, in a sense. There are tight grooves, a subdued tension, and some excellent guitar work.
The members were highly influenced by the Velvet Underground, hence another cover of All Tomorrow's Parties, and the female singer here (on a couple tracks) does resemble Nico in spots, if only because of the thick accent. The male singer also has a thick accent and his vocals are much more rhythmic than melodic. The record really makes you feel as though you're sitting in an underground cafe somewhere in Eastern Europe where the sun hasn't shown for months. And, yes, that is a compliment.

Can't remember where I got into this but it was and is still good to listen. What I like about them? the hyptonizing beats, their cold and dark lyrics, their thick accent in a foreign language most of the time and those grinding electric chords.

Listen "I sweep but don't clean" and you'll understand what I mean.

i love this cd. it's something very different and exotic. east european hard rock rooted in the realism of SOVIET occupation. the cd notes are by CZECH president and hero VACLAV HAVEL. he loves this band. you will too. the price is right, check it out. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED