Customer Reviews

Polkasonic

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

 

 

Polkasonic, Brave Combo's 1999 release on Cleveland International Records, could easily take polka to the forefront of innovative, cutting-edge music. This album starts with three hard-hitting polka tunes that make it almost impossible to sit still. From the first notes of "Down at the Friendly Tavern", the listener can't help but get up and dance around the room, doing the polka or just whirling around with happy abandon. In all, this album features ten exciting polka numbers plus two waltzes, ranging from traditional to new original numbers. The new arrangement of "Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie" is the most rocking ever, with vocals by all three longtime members of the band, and building to an exciting climax. "Skytrain", Carl Finch's new thought-provoking composition, adds that element of surprise that you won't find on more traditional polka albums. The electric guitar/accordion version of "Down in the Valley" is haunting and beautiful, showing that even the oldest, most familiar tune is infused with new excitement when Brave Combo plays it. The final cut on the album is "Purple Haze". Yes, it's the same Purple Haze that Jimi Hendrix created his legend around. Here, it's revived as an upbeat polka, proving once again that polka and rock are are not mutually exclusive. Now, polka rocks big time, and Brave Combo is leading the charge with Polkasonic.

Brave Combo has been around a long time - 20 years or so - and its muse has led it all over the map in terms of musical style and presence. One common thread runs through 20 years of BC, however - the polka. Mainstream polka enthusiasts seem to resent BC because they don't sound like the mainstream polka greats (Jimmy Sturr, Eddie Blazonczyk, and so forth), but the simple truth is that BC appeals to a much wider audience than these bands do. Your average high-energy rocker is going to really get into BC's infectious enthusiasm and wide-ranging musical tastes - and who knows, from there they may discover that they like Jimmy Sturr after all! BC is good for polka, BC is good for fun, BC is good for what ails you, and Polkasonic deserves the attention that the Grammy brings!

If you like music, polka fan or not, you owe it to yourself to check out Brave Combo. You WILL enjoy them!

I love these guys. They can play anything. Their newest cd is a great one and this being the 20th Anniversary of Brave Combo, they sound better than ever!

Brave Combo is a surprising, and delightful band that exudes energy and fun. Their music is fast, and instills a level of enthusiasm in me that just can't be beat. This album is one of their best (it's certainly the best I've heard, but they've got so many, I don't want to exclude the possibility that one of them is better).

If you like to dance and you like enthusiastic, high energy music, this CD is for you. (Who would have ever dreamed of putting Purple Haze to a polka beat, if not for Brave Combo). If you are already a polka fan, this CD may not be for you, as it is not your standard polka fare. It would fit more into a rock/folk/latin/polka section than a straight up polka group.

Anyway, this CD has infectious high-energy, and is a whole lot of fun. Buy the CD, and try to see these people live!

I will have to say they were much more exciting live. You just had to dance. Couldn't sit still. The energy was astounding! It is a good CD to listen to with several.

The band sounds ok. Not the full richness of a Jimmy Sturr band. The award for Best Polka band, lends a wonder if those who voted for it, really heard the others who sounded much, much better.