Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Bernays Propaganda
Label: Moonlee Records
Release: 2009
Rating: 4.5/5
Bernays Propaganda are a Macedonian indie rock outfit developing a one-of-a-kind sound that owes a lot to mixing punk elements with light, accented rhythms. The production puts those rhythms front and center, which gives the band a certain post-punk feel, the kind of vibe you got from the bands that peaked in the second half of the eighties.
The lineup is a seasoned quartet, and its members cut their teeth in a bunch of “core” bands, with either a punk or hard prefix. On top of that, the members have flirted with dance rhythms in some parallel projects that belong to the alt “underground” but still left their mark on the musical style of Bernays Propaganda. So this is a band that cultivates a unique sonic and stylistic independence. Add to that the chosen theme of preaching, openly attacking the foundations of mass manipulation as Edward L. Bernays once laid them out in his writings, with “Propaganda” probably the most famous of them. In the beautifully put-together edition of the album “Happiness Machines” you can enjoy reading an essay compiled from various sources by the band’s singer Kristina Gorovska, and form your own opinion about the intriguing figure and work behind the name Bernays.
The band is strictly engaged, loudly condemning and attacking the “unconscious” levers a handful of “perverted” psychologists use to manipulate the masses and wash their brains. They use rock music as a tool of rebellion with real skill, and the lyrics will convince you of that too. Under Kristina’s lead, the verses work triumphantly through the loud delivery of slogans, with a strong, finely subtle placement of individual messages. Kristina sounds vulnerably feminine and, at the same time, brings the necessary punk “annoying” anger of accusation and disgust toward the chosen object, the target of the band’s sharpest criticism! The Macedonian language gives the band a distinctive voice, a kind of quality trademark, and its incredible melodicity only adds to the album’s appeal.
Musically, this is an excellently produced album that, under the rough “punk” banner, surprises with its remarkable control and cleanness. It achieves really beautiful contrasts among all four players. It sounds lively, dynamic and high-energy, despite a simple rhythmic template that leans on post-punk “eighties” (even new wave) approaches and makes your body move. The guitar keeps an organic sound throughout and falls back on sparkling minimalism, repeatedly picking just a few notes, sometimes even simple “flageolet” tricks (Are You Enjoying Being), which is a pleasant surprise for a genre that usually only dares hide behind three to four simple chords, something that can generically lead to a dull predictability of expression. Bernays Propaganda are definitely not the place to look for that. They make excellent use of the room to maneuver among all four of their building blocks, delivering an energetic show throughout that never bores for a second and, at its core, doesn’t hide the art rock component of a unique musical oddball.
Since the band’s distinctive sound touches the levers of the eighties, Bernays Propaganda could appeal to anyone somewhere in the broad range between Interpol and The Cure! Bernays Propaganda is a band you absolutely have to hear and get to know. They have a clear focus and a clear development goal, and with their highly perceptive preaching and quality of musical craft, plus further all-round improvement, they will surely serve up plenty more sweet, provocatively delivered musical messages that will stir up and enrich the rock world.
Lineup
Kristina Gorovska – vocals
Vasko Atanasoski – guitar
Saša Pavlović – bass
Džano Kuc – drums
Production
Valentino Skenderovski
Track list
01. Kill Me!
02. Are You Enjoying Being In Your Own Accompaniment?
03. Safe Left
04. A Day Before I Disappear
05. Everything Will Fall Apart
06. I Don’t Want To Know
07. Anonymous Enemy
08. Homo Or Sapiens
09. Yuppie Dream
10. No Translation
