ZABRANJENO PLAKATIRATI

It was not easy job for me to review this album. And not because it is kind of controversial one, no way. Just I have same problem reviewing this release as with almost any other album from ex-Yugoslavia. As foreigner who lived in that region for some years and understand local languages good enough to catch slung and black humour added in songs lyrics, I always wonder,how listener without such abilities feels when listening such album.

I'd read all reviews on this album written by people from former Yugoslavia, and perfectly understand their highest ratings they gave to this album. Zappa/Captain Beefheart influenced avant-rock with bluesy roots and strong psychedelic scent, original enough, with strong local flavour (mostly in lyrics) was absolute explosion in half-totalitarian Yugoslavia of mid 70-s. Rebellion evidence which will be remembered for all their life by generation who was young in mid 70-s. Especially because very soon,just few years later such music was almost totally forgotten and changed by Yu-pop all around the country. Few decades later all the country finished its existence (in bloody few years war) and many of this album fans found themselves living in States,Australia,Sweden or Austria. And one of few things they still have from their 70-s is this album.

Album is quite short and sound mix is very average,or even worst. But this music is great evidence of time and the place in its atmosphere. Slovenian band sings in Serbo-Croatian (can't hardly imagine such combination nowadays), and for everyone, who can remember (or at least imagine) that time this release is the same as early Zappa albums for American youth.

But-what doest it means for all other world?For the world ,who thinks that Slovenia and Slovakia ("Slovensko" in slovakian) is the same country? Who can't understand all that humour and nostalgia (looking from now) in album's lyrics? OK, for them it's just one rare a bit vintage (for 1975) Zappa-influenced avant-rock album with original vocals, many interesting moments and non-understandable lyrics.

Returning back to the beginning of this review, it is not easy for me to rate this album. As a rare person in between of two worlds, I understand point of view from both groups of listeners. So -what can I say there? I believe my verdict is something in between - everyone interested in Eastern/SE European avant-rock from totalitarian period should check this album, but don't expect you will catch it in full.

My rating (for all listeners of non ex-Yugoslavian origin) is 3,5,rounded to4. As my position there - somewhere in between. :)