JAK BUDE PO SMRTI

Not everything the Plastic People of the Universe did was exactly great. Despite their inspiring story one has to critique the music on its own merits, and the amateurish musicianship on this, their third release, was pretty rough stuff.

The album’s title 'Jak bude po smrti' means “what it’ll be like after death”, or “afterlife”, a topic bassist/vocalist and unofficial band leader Milan Hlavsa seemed to be somewhat obsessed with in his early compositions. Unless you know Czech you’ll have to imagine what they’re singing about or find an English translation though. The music is instantly recognizable as that of the Plastics thanks to the abundance of discordant guitar/bass, atonal and dissonant horns, and timing that is almost impossible to follow.

But unlike the comparatively restrained first album (‘Egon Bondy’s Lonely Hearts Club Banned’), and some of their later albums after their musicianship had improved considerably; this record is very, very rough. The recording quality isn’t very good either, and I think this was actually recorded live in one take.

There is very little variation between the three lengthy tracks here, and I suspect a lot of the music was improvised. Not much else to say about it except that you shouldn’t expect much if you get a chance to listen to it, but I don’t think it takes anything away from the band’s story; this is simply where they were musically at the time.

If you are even remotely interested in this band, their history and their music – don’t start with this album. I’d recommend picking up their live reunion record ‘1997’, then maybe a compilation like ‘Vožralej jak slíva’. If you’re still hanging in there then put this one on your list as a completer piece. Otherwise I hate to do this because I truly love these guys, but this is no better than a two star album, even for them.

peace