My Amazon Reviews: Gogol Bordello "Pura Vida Conspiracy"

Borders are scars on the face of the planet
4 Out Of 5 Stars

So says Eugene Hutz on his merry band of musical pranksters' lead-off track, "We Rise Again." Indeed. Some three years after "Transcontinental Hustle," Gogol Bordello commence upon their ongoing mission to shred musical boundaries with "Pura Vida Conspiracy." Human cyclone Hutz seemingly runs on an inexhaustible supply of musical fuel, dragging gypsy violins, Spanish horns, punk rock guitars, accordions and his expressive voice all over the musical map.

There's also a new-found punkish spikiness to some of the songs here. Granted, I don't think anyone would ever accuse Gogol Bordello of being sedate, but "We Rise Again" and "Dig Deep Enough" start off typically, then plunge headlong into blistering pogo-dance breaks. They take it even further on the hidden bonus track "Jealous Sister." At a Ramones-timed 2:27, Hutz speaks of an Argentinian girl before hitting rapid fire verses that would do The Descendents proud, adding a strummed guitar interlude and a heavy metal guitar solo towards the end. Again, all in under two and a half minutes. Which is all the odder because the song "Jealous Sister" is 'hidden' behind is a heartfelt Hutz with a solo six string stepping along in three quarter time.

I guess I should be careful in using the word 'typically' in the confines of a Gogol Bordello CD, because "Pura Vida Conspiracy" bounces the ball across so many time zones that songs as delightful as "Lost Innocent World" confound traditional pop structure all while making me wonder why radio utterly ignores them. Is it the violins, Hutz's heavily accented voice, or just plain old conspiracy? No matter. Gogol Bordello is not about to let anyone dictate what or where their music is heading. They are on, as the song goes, "My Gypsy Auto Pilot," and "Pura Vida Conspiracy" is the latest love letter sent from a musical world without borders.

     

Gogol Bordello Play Newport Folk Festival!

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The Decemberists Play Newport Folk Festival!

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My Amazon Reviews: Gogol Bordello "Transcontinental Hustle"

No Energy Crisis Here  
4 Out of 5 Stars

I was a little concerned when I heard Gogol Bordello had made the leap to major labels (Colombia/American). Would the suits at CBS tamp down the energy of Eugene Hutz and his cross-cultural/generational band of music makers? Would Rick Rubin enhance these guys or suck them dry?

My fears were allayed as soon as "Pala Tute" kicked in. It's as ferocious and as fun/funny as anything the band has done to date. And as a reality check to the folks that have given "Transcontinental Hustle" tepid reviews, nobody, and I mean no-one, rocks an accordion and fiddle like Gogol Bordello. The buildup that climaxes "When Universes Collide" is new even for GB, showing that the band is still fine with taking risks. And both "Raise The Knowledge" and the title song continue to mine a fierce political streak.

In short, any band that claims to find their inspiration "in my headphones is Bob Marley and Joe Strummer" is going to have a hard time watering their sound down. "Transcontinental Hustle" is already one of  my favorite albums of the year, and I'm really happy that GB survived the transition with their soul intact.