HOVěZÍ PORÁZKA

THE PLASTIC PEOPLE OF THE UNIVERSE are a legendary band from the Czech Republic who were hassled, jailed and beaten by the communist government. They even had their house burnt down, all for making music that wasn't government approved. The album's title means "Beefslaughter" and the album's cover is pretty gross looking and is related to the title. I am so happy with the music here. I was dreading that it would be that depressing, minimalistic stuff that they used on the previous record "Co Znamena Vesti Kone".Thankfully it's more in the style of their masterpiece "Egon Bondy's Happy Hearts Club Banned". So yeah this is a lot of fun and catchy, but with clarinet, bass clarinet, drums, viola and violin leading the way you wouldn't think so right ?

"Sel Pro Krev" opens with bass clarinet, violin and a catchy rhythm.This sounds great ! It's got a lot of bottom end, even the vocals are alto. Some dissonance around 3 minutes and later at 4 1/2 minutes.There are keyboards in this one too which is a nice touch. "Prasinec" sounds even better with bass clarinet and violin and a really good rhythm section.Vocals before 1 1/2 minutes and we get some flute 3 minutes in as well. "Kanarek" puts the focus on the vocals early but we still get the ever-present violin, viola, clarinet, bass clarinet and that rhythm section. He yells a few times on this one which sounds amazing believe it or not.

"Nenakist Vola K Reznickymu Psu" is more uptempo and the vocals come and go. "Petrin" has lots of strings and vocals that come and go.That beat too of course and guitar this time. "Moucha V Rannim Pive" has pulsating clarinet as violin and a beat support. This sounds incredible. "Bleskem Do Hlavy" has such a good rhythm to it, like a train, then vocals and dissonance come in. "Spatna Vec" is uptempo with vocals, drums and horns. It settles some 2 minutes in with guitar then picks back up. Violin after 3 1/2 minutes. "Papirovy Hlavy" has a more laid back beat with horns and violins. Dissonance ends it.

An easy 4 stars and a joy to listen to.