Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony

Gogol Bordello

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 17, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rubric Records
• ASIN: B00006GA43
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,387 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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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.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Versus Irony, June 14, 2006

By	E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Something Different..., April 20, 2004

By	Mike Golen (Chicago) - See all my reviews

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.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If only this captured the energy of the show ..., March 28, 2004

By	A. Barsuk (Mountain View, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.