Begnagrad - S/T
Reviewed: 5/6/24
4.5/5
Review Summary: Starting off as a calming listen, and ending as a absurd album.
Begnagrad was a short lived avant prog band, forming in former Yugoslavia. They were on the tail end of the original Rock in Opposition movement. The original lineup lasted until 1975 to 1979, reforming with a changed lineup from 1981 to 1983. Overall, I would call myself the average avant prog enjoyer, but this album goes off the rails so fast it took me a couple tries before I got past the ten minute mark. The first two tracks, Pjan Ska and Romanticna, are pretty upbeat and easy for me to listen to, but somewhat strange. There's a distinct humorous sound that's quite exclusive to Begnagrad. Throughout the album, it sounds lighthearted, despite all of the absurd and weird instrumentation. The first barrier for entry for the rest of the album is Bo Ze (Ce Bo). It starts off calming enough until the minute fifteen mark. The weirdness peaks at around the two minute mark, with distorted gargling noises and stop and go instrumentation, among other things. The band eventually calms down enough to finish the song., as if nothing happened. The following track, Costa Nostra (Waltz), mostly feels like it has a sinister undertone. It's not as upbeat as the first two tracks yet not as off the wall as the pervious track.
Even while enjoying the album, it's quite a mixed bag. Narodna - Kmetska feels like it would fit well inside of a fever dream. Bratko Bibic's accordion is really vital to the song, as it weaves in and out, for lack of a better descriptor. The last two tracks seal off the album well. Coc n Rolla, the only track most people know from this album, blends the wackiness of the previous tracks along with the calmness of the first two, making a balanced listen. Its quite bass heavy, but the double bass does not overtake the song at all. The final track, Zvizgovska Urska, is a upbeat folk song to act as a palette cleanser to seal off the album. Whistling, rather refreshing calmness, and eventually odd humming nearing the end of it . Some of the members decided to make bands of their own after the final breakup in 1983, such as Bratko Bibic helping to form Nimal and a few others forming Quatebriga.
As for final thoughts, If your up for something weird, varied, but still unique, this album is a great place to start.
Recommended tracks: Pjan Ska, Coc n Rolla, Costa Nostra.