BEZ OHňů JE UNDERGROUND

Thanks to Hugues for being interested in Czech history (and doing a lot of research on this subject), his review tells the situation and conditions of this band well. I wouldn't be able to tell it better.

Album name means "Without fires is underground", it's reference to one joke from Plastics history. Mejla, then something like frontman once asked Jirous what's the different between psychedelic and underground. Jirous thoroughly explained, but Mejla didn't get it at all and understood it like that you have to have fires in performances to be underground. Or at least that's how I remember it, it may be opposite. However, joke remains a joke.

After they split up in 1988, they reunited in 1992 just for this concert and won't reunite until 1997 again). It is more or less lineup from early ages (even not the first one). The words on cover of this album says: "Live December 1992".

Ivan "Loony" Jirous, manager of the band, is talking (in first, introduction track) about how he's glad that it is opportunity to present Plastics to new generation and that he also see a lot of old fans in audience. Then he is mocking band members a little bit (they're used to do that, it is fun after all).

Then we have three cover tracks, Light My Fire sounds very like the original (without characteristic voice, therefore left with crazy/weird (it's Plastic way, sounds like [and mostly are] drunken) vocals of either Kabe? or Jernek. One of them. And of course, one more prominent thing - strong bass line. Because I know original track very well, I can compare - very well performed.

Though I don't know other two songs, they are quite good as well, even though I like Garden Is Open far more.

And then three "original" tracks. The hell Hugues, you are speaking Czech or not ? You seems to understand lyrics quite well, which of course helps in something like that.

Lyrically, they are ironic, extremely dirty (in a very shocking way, even it's very natural and poetical dirtiness). Podivohudný mandarín starts with words: "You will spread your crotch all your life". It's the part of fun here.

From music point of view, there is solid share of Psychedelia, Avant tendencies (very weird type, but I'm of course concerned Czech Prog researcher from - again - Czech Republic), unique Plastic flavour, which even they are doing covers, shines and guides you on the paths of this underground groups of underdogs who simply wanted to make their music in spite of what commies said (and what they did to them, including beating, in total dozens of years behind bars and bans on doing live gigs officially).

4(+), last three tracks are worth of it, first "real" three tracks are decent.