Hala Strana

Eastern European folk music reinterpreted/reproduced/recreated/represented by Steven R. Smith. That dark minor key eastern European sound, “sexed up” with a rock aesthetic, violins and electric guitars both just a bit out of tune, as well as unconventional instruments like flowerpots, glockenspiel, squeaky laundry cart wheels, gourd guitar, and so on. Tracks are mostly on the slow side and almost ritualistic; not so much melodies as variations on chord progressions. All instrumental.

1. (0:51) sounds like a really old recording of a street band, possibly tuning up
2. (3:11) dark and driven, like a folksy rock ballad, featuring laundry cart; breaks down at end.
*3. (3:37) rock anthem-y, electric guitars and harmonium; switches to intricate light percussion and guitar twangs
4. (3:35) slow deliberate, with waltz-tempo clanking; builds intensity and tempo
*5. (3:36) rambling through streets; lots of strings (out of tune), rolling drums and electric guitars
*6. (4:03) dark folk/country sound; alternates acoustic with busier electric soloing
*7. (2:53) exotic Eastern-sounding plucks over constant bass notes
8. (2:59) dark folk/country again, with electric guitar noodling and harmonium
*9. (2:45) vinyl pops; old-timey piano oom-pah-pah under reedy ornate violin solo
10. (2:48) driving electric guitars break down to ambient noise and then come back
11. (3:17) tense wawawa background under dramatic slow electric guitar dialogue
*12. (4:02) slow and unhurried, but builds, then lapses. with glockenspiel and harmonium
13. (4:11) harmonium alone for awhile; full band adds frantically; the Finale

—reviewed by mandy (la chanteuse)