Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Various Artists
Label: Moonlee Records
Release: 2016
Duration: 39:42
Rating: 3.5/5
The Osijek riders of high-octane, melodic punk rock and infectious HC punk, Debeli precjednik, are back on the scene with a split CD that they share with Zagreb’s Mašinko. The former are pretty much one of the driving forces on the Balkan peninsula whenever this genre comes up in conversation. Mašinko are much younger as a band, but with their ambitious creative boldness they’ve already firmly established themselves in the Croatian lairs of melodic punk rock culture.
The »split CD« move feels totally right, and not just because the two bands are stylistically compatible. Both of them also react to what’s going on in society, at the same time, with strikingly similar criticism. That united them in writing the lyrics and even in naming the album. It’s called »year of the monkeys« and »monkey of the year« at the same time. We’ve got plenty of them here, and the Croats are by no means lagging behind. The catch is that in both countries their numbers grow exponentially from one year to the next. The whole thing seems all the more hopeless because we’re talking about self-crowned rulers of countries and, at the same time, henchmen of Big Brother, who’ve institutionalized themselves and their destructive logic through legal decrees (to their own benefit only). Meanwhile we, citizens without countries, go on “mistakenly” believing in them as unconditional apostles (the ones who stole our countries from us), whose rules we’re obliged to live by and slave away for.
If we put the material of the first six tracks, where Debeli precjednik are represented on the split CD, under the microscope, they keep diligently sticking to their winning poker aces, their tried-and-true recipe that made them so respected that people compare them to bands like SNFU, Rise Against, God Riddance and Satanic Surfers. The new material doesn’t lower that quality one bit. You get excellent production with fat, well-oiled guitar phrases that push decisively forward through the soundscape. On top of that there’s a highly melodic lead vocal, at points breathless but penetrating, occasionally downright »pathetically saccharine«, with a simple catchiness on the level of kindergarten »ring around the rosie« songs. All of this remains the guarantee of the exceptional live explosiveness this band delivers when it hangs out with its crowd at gig parties. And that’s the whole point. You play for yourself and for the crowd. You throw a good party that makes people happy and gets them off. So with the split CD »Godina majmuna«, Debeli precjednik remain a constant that doesn’t disappoint.
Mašinko, on the other hand, with the album »Majmun godine« are, as mentioned, stylistically very much at peace with Debeli precjednik’s tracks, so the split CD causes no headaches at all when you jump from one band to the other. Compared to Debeli precjednik, Mašinko come across as more »Croatian«, meaning they’re a bit more rooted in the punk rock tradition of our southern neighbors, while Debeli precjednik by now enjoy the status of an internationally respected name. Mašinko’s production isn’t as »precise« as Debeli precjednik’s either; by comparison it sounds a bit more garage. Unlike Debeli precjednik, Mašinko’s lyrics are sung entirely in Croatian, full of satire, self-parody, and taking the piss out of humanity’s delusions and wrong turns.
But there’s one thing. All the songs are built on major chords. So they’re dead simple in format and, in their artistic triviality, instantly solvable. They grab you right away. There’s no shortage of decibel-fueled release of energy, and clearly both bands are a must-hear at gigs. That’s where this kind of music hits its greatest expressive impact. Holy simplicity, then. Mašinko also have a bit more of a classic stance, coming straight from a rock’n’roll attitude, while shaping their vocal melodies a little differently. In tune with the »shouting of the mob«, they use multi-voice vocal choruses. Debeli precjednik only use vocal harmonies to tint the lead vocal here and there.
In short. Everything stands, everything checks out on this split CD. Quality execution, the thrill of released energy, credible songwriting. And most importantly, it’s proof that music tolerates no restrictions and that, whatever side we’re on, it unites us, just as it united Debeli precjednik and Mašinko. As Bajaga says: “Doboš udara samo na dva!”, so hit the gasssaaaaaaaaaaaa.
Debeli precjednik – Subotom Kićo, nedjeljom Slabinac (official video):
Mašinko Srkijev san 21 (official video):
Lineup
Debeli precjednik:
Tin Kovačić – vocals
Davor Bestvina – guitar
Ivan Budaić – guitar
Igor Kovačević – bass
Siniša Rajković – drums
Mašinko:
Srki
Šulc
Pero
Pitura
Lav
Andrija
Production
PRedrag “Crimson” Adamić (Godina majmuna) / Mark Mrakovčić (Majmun godine)
Tracklist
Debeli precjednik – “Godina majmuna”:
1. Surrender Nov
2. Subotom Kićo, nedjeljom Slabinac
3. Back to the Embryo
4. Tomorrow Home
5. Zbogom svi
6. Subotom Kićo, nedjeljom Slabinac (Crimson remix)
Mašinko – “Majmun godine”:
7. Srkijev san 21
8. Zajedno unatrag
9. 041
10. Nijedna moja bivša
11. Monumentalna
12. Rijetka sprava
