Kalemegdan Disk - ROCK FROM EASTERN EUROPE

Croatia Records Release Information

“Underground”, the new studio album of Prljavo Kazalište (Dirty Theater), with the members Davorin Bogović, Alen Kraljić and Tihomir Fileš, brings ten songs that sound youthful and close to the original sound of Prljavo Kazalište, a rock group with a rich musical history in Yugoslavia and later in Croatia. “Back to the roots” was also the mission of Prljavo Kazalište when recording this album in the garages of Zagreb’s Utrin, which was composed by Alen Kraljić. The lyrics were written by Alen Kraljić and Tihomir Fileš, except for the song “Pronađi me” (Find Me), which Davorin sang in collaboration with the singer-songwriter Mirna Škrgatić from Rijeka. Drum recording, mixing and mastering was done by Davor Smotalić.

“The charm of the songs from “Underground” is undeniable, which are performed with the same undeniable gusto by Fileš while “hammering” the solid rhythm, Bogović, whose vocals are rasped just right for songs like this, and Kraljić, who played around with the guitars,” concluded one of the most famous music critics, Aleksandar Dragaš.

In his musical review of the album in Jutarnji list, he added: “Underground bursts with freshness and energy, even if it is not crowded enough due to the guerilla recording conditions, but that is also part of the charm of the “dirtier Dirty Theater”. “Underground” could have been or should have been an album that, with Kraljić’s songs, would have represented Fileš and Bogović’s return to punk, ska, and new wave Prljavo Kazalište from the late 70s and early 80s. Of course, the album is that to a certain extent, but it is also different from Fileš and Bogović’s return to a better past. “Underground” defacto should be listened to as a new album by a new band in which Kraljić is the guitarist whose riffs are automatically recognizable and the author of songs in which Bogović swims like a fish in the water, and Fileš enjoys playing the drums. This “supergroup” consisting of Bogović, Fileš and Kraljić is all bursting with freshness and energy, and the “Underground” album sounds youthful and potent, charming and endearing, and that is part of the charm of the “dirtier Dirty Theater”.

Another well-known music critic, Hrvoje Horvat, whose columns are read in Večernji list, was among the first to listen to the album: “The new album of the “new” Prljavo Kazalište is excellent, and Bogović is once again “ruling”. The album “Underground” could almost be divided into two parts; the first five tracks with hitoid potential are starting the race in the daily domestic listening game, while the second five songs are closing the album more fiercely. Of course, the opening songs also have energy and fervor, great playing, witty lyrics, but there are also modern-rock parts like you would expect when Alen Kraljić appears in the story. One of my favorite domestic guitarists along with Davor Viduka from Kawasaki 3P and Kojoti.

There is also a potential hit, the excellent “Kako si” (How Are You) and the hard-disco second single “Pronađi me” (Find Me), a duet between Bogović and Mirna Škrgatić that sounds as if Garbage wanted to cover Blondie’s “Call Me”. When you get to the last five songs from the loud speakers, you are hit by an avalanche of sound that, from the melodious “Kažu rokenrol je mrtav”. (They Say Rock and Roll Is Dead), one of the most important songs of the album, to the epic final semi-blues ballad “Ti me više ne voliš” (You Don’t Love Me anymore) offers a combination of the great Bogović and the moody band that “grunt” in riffs and rhythms. “Ljubav” (Love), “Babilon” (Babylon ) and “Prijatelju mali” (Little Friend), and with their effective bass parts and Fileš’s subdued drumming “pull” on The Clash, and the band’s dance performance with guitar and keyboard decorations is connected by the “signature” of vocalist Davorin Bogović.”

Tracklist

Side A

1. Svemirski tobogan 3:34
2. Kako si 4:11
3. Pronađi me 3:43
4. Gool 2:52
5. S tobom dolazi muzika 4:06

Side B

1. Rock ’n’ rolla 2:59
2. Ljubav 3:28
3. Babilon 4:09
4. Prijatelju mali 3:34
5. Ti me više ne voliš 3:51