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ACL review: Gogol Bordello
That’s not to say it’s not fun. In fact, in the right dosage the unlikely hybrid preferred by lead man Eugene Hutz and company — immigrant folk and klezmer filtered through both punk rock and a weird jump blues — is pretty thrilling and almost impossible to not dance along to. And things are just as overloaded on the visual end, with players dressed in an array of ethnic garbs exaggerated to the point where the whole spectacle looks like a Benetton commercial on acid.
So there’s a lot to take in and try to process. Maybe it’s best to not think about it too much. I mean, it’s OK to just mindlessly sing along to catchy tunes like “Start Wearing Purple” or “Think Locally, (Expletive) Globally,” right?
That’ll have to do for now. Because the alternative is to realize I spent 60 minutes Friday night watching the “Saturday Night Live” Wild and Crazy Guys sketch dressed up like a rock show. And worse, I kinda liked it.
Photo: Erich Schlegel FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN
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Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: ACL 2008: Friday, ACL Festival
Comments
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By David
September 27, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
A horribly written review of the wonderful Gogol Bordello.
By Content Love Knowles
September 27, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
I think it’s absolutely possible to review Gogol Bordello on their own terms as musicians, perhaps focusing on their extraordinary chops and history to begin with, and then moving along to their lyrics, which I think are smart, moving, and descriptive of a certain plaintive marginalization. If you do that, then it’s not so much Wild and Crazy guys anymore. If you read the lyrics to Start Wearing Purple, you’ll find it’s a song about being and staying yourself, not a mindless anthem at all. I find it gratifying to see Gogol Bordello find their audience in the USA. Look, the infectious balkan beat is the delivery system. The thing that’s being delivered is in the lyrics and theatrical presentation, which owes a lot to long circus tradition. They aren’t really coming out of left field, just perhaps a field you haven’t played in so much.
By Ian
September 27, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
Gogol Bordello is good time and you made them sound like something you walk by and go “What’s that?” At least identify yourself as unfamiliar with their live show, music, etc and people will be more forgiving of your review.
By Danny
October 1, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
Gogol Bordello put on the best show of the entire ACL festival. No one else had the audience jumping, singing, and as jubilant as the gypsy punks that you marginalize in your review. If singing with an accent is so off-putting to you, get a passport and travel a little.
By Robert Scott
October 14, 2010 11:57 AM | Link to this
I agree completely with the previous commentary from fans regarding the review. Admittedly, there’s a limit to how objective I can be about this group, as one of my favorites. However, in light of how eclectic the Austin Music Scene can be at times, these guys have a place in the mix somewhere, I have no doubt. They’re DEFINITELY something of an acquired taste, but to the listeners among whom they strike a chord, it’s irresistible. I kind of got the impression with the Statesman’s reviewer that it was as much a matter of taste, or they simply didn’t get it. We’re all in this together, folks.