Gogol Bordello

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Gogol Bordello

Album: Trans-Continental Hustle

Label: American

Genre: GYPSY PUNK

Comments: I'm slightly (okay, incredibly) biased when it comes to Gogol Bordello. I was but a young, musically-pretty-limited teenager when I first heard the group's first two records--the impeccable Voi-La Intruder, and Multi-Kontra Culti vs. Irony, respectively--and their lives shows were some of the first I ever went to. Needless to say, Gogol Bordello was one of the two bands that completely shaped both my musical tastes and love for live shows. When Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike came out in '05, it became less feasible to see them at a tiny CT club of 30 people, but their increasing popularity (and eventual signing to major-label status) did nothing to mess with the group's energy or style. While their music has evolved along with their live shows, it's still as fun as ever.

Punk, dub, Balkan tunes and traditional instruments, plus the undeniable and unmatched pure swagger of Eugene Hutz (potentially one of the most charismatic frontmen I have ever had the pleasure of giddily talking to in my life) combine to create infectious, danceable, slightly eccentric and totally enjoyable music. It's self-named "gypsy punk", and while that name might make you cringe, it's pretty accurate. Nothing like accordion and violin mixing with punk percussion, bold lyrics and un-matchable energy to create some of the most creative music you'll ever be so privileged to hear. And what's particularly awesome is that most of the group is coming from tangible roots--Hutz is Ukrainian with Roma background (he came to the US after Chernobyl, after living in various Eastern European refugee camps), Sergey and Yuri are Russian, and Oren Kaplan is Israeli--and the combination of these backgrounds with their Lower East Side attitudes make for an honest blend of traditional and punk-rock music.

Trans-Continental Hustle is the group's 5th studio album (not counting various EPs, singles, and their live record), and it shows the group in great form. From the epic "When Universes Collide" to the upbeat, wordly "Pala Tute", the record is a great, balanced effort. One of the issues with Gogol Bordello's latest records have been the sliiiight veering away from the more traditional tunes when compared to their first two records, but Trans-Continental Hustle is a solid blend of their major-rock-band status with their creative world influences. A wonderful, wonderful record.