HOLLYWOOD

Bolting out like madmen from your speakers as soon as you set this Czech salami slice in your deck, the first surprise is that the music sounds indeed like a torn piece of flesh, ripped apart from your own body. Beefy, fleshy, bloody, stringy, rare, medium rare, blue or raw, this kind of human tissue is certainly not easy to get into, unless feeling a bit like Hannibal Lecter. Nothing that really hurts physically, but more so in terms of moral damages and others irremediable changes to your brain cells once the slice is regurgitated from your deck. This is the second, third or fourth (not sure) album from Uz Jsme Doma, released in 93. Coming after the stunning Milenovany Svet album, the group was down to a quintet, having lost wind player Kalouskova (but sound-wise, there is no revolution), but the artwork is still designed by Velisek as would all (or almost) the group's albums.

So the record starts at a 300 Mph speed with semi-hardcore post-punk lines, but once there is the descending motif, the music veers flamenco with castanets beats and acoustic guitar strumming, only to return to the usual hard Gypsy-jazz that so many avant-prog groups are dishing out since Debile Menthol's debut album. The record is a succession of nervous, raw, multi-speed track ranging from the ditty (3 are less than 2 mins-long) to much more complex Koroze and Vlazna both bordering the 8 min-mark). Technically very impressive (check out the dramatics the title track), the album has an already-heard elsewhere feel, as do most of UJD's albums. From Miriodor to Cro Magnon, from Interference Sardine and Rouge Ciel, to Volapuk and Alamaailman Vasarat, there are plenty of groups that develop some multi-vitamined eastern gypsy folk-jazz. Aah, yes!! I'd have inserted the album closing Jdi Tam much calmer track around the sixth or seventh place in the running order, just to allow the listeners to catch their breath, instead of waiting too long, until the end.

UJD is yet another good avant-prog group heavily delving in semi-metallic gypsy jazz-rock, but unfortunately for them, I discovered them well after all of the other previous group, so I will likely never consider UJD as a must-have group in that genre, but they have their undeniable qualities that makes this group no less than the others mentioned iabove in the present review.

This is my first exploration into the background of this Czech band since I discovered their Cuneiform release, Jeskyne (Caves) last year (which found a place in my best-of-2010 list).

The music contained herein fits into the avant-garde category quite nicely, with odd rhythms and weird sounds mixed throughout, but that is not really the appeal of this album. These are simply ingredients used by the band to create what are ultimately inviting, catchy, and fun songs. I have no idea what they are singing about (despite English translations of the lyrics being included in the booklet), and it doesn't really matter, because on sound alone these guys make quite an impact.

The rhythm section is strong and consistent enough to build the framework from which the songs can perform their acrobatics. In this album, it is a tenor sax adding a distinctive flavour (compared to Caves, which used trumpet). The music propels itself forward with a punk-like energy, but there is some maturity to the way it is used here - for sure, this is not just art-punk music. The band has a great sense of dynamics and is able to build into the most energetic, rocking parts in ways that make them sound better than if they had just gone straight to them. This keeps the songs fresh and interesting, even when they are repeating similar themes (as in the title track, which actually has English in it to begin with). The melodies here aren't quite as in-your-face as in my past experience with the band, but instead slowly work their way insidiously into your head and last a lot longer, which I actually find I enjoy more.

This is one of those albums that has so many highlights that it seems like the whole album is full of highlights. It is bookended with great tracks - the opener (Koroze) is a great introduction both to the energy of the band as well as their weirdness (it includes a cry-singing part), and the closer (Jdi tam, nevím kam, přines to, nevím co) is pretty epic - but these aren't even the best tracks on the album. Hollywood just begs you to sing along, Vlazna a sediva is a cool, more chilled piece, Belveder builds up wonderfully, and Jassica has superb energy.

If you are into music with a lot of energy, or music that is weird but has great rhythm to it, this is probably an album you should be checking out.