Kurvy Češi – Šnečí Med (2023)
by Flork
As the warm temperatures return to us here Central Europe, the heat seems to have a way of infusing its intensity into the punk rock music scene. And I’m glad for this as punk and its anarchic vibes and messages are what I need right now, especially with the world being the way it is these days, with its newfound state of new normal that confuses many of us to death. And so, with a backdrop of sweltering days and balmy nights (at least for this Canadian), the rebellious spirit of punk resonates louder than ever with the August release of Šnečí Med (Snail Honey) by the Prague-based group, Kurvy Češi (Fucking Czechs).
The album kicks off with Hezky (Nice), a track that immediately establishes Kurvy Češi's louder-than-life identity. The distorted guitars and frenetic drumming create an atmosphere of controlled chaos, while the gritty vocals convey a sense of urgency. This is a highly-appropriate song to begin with, it’s full of turbulent energy and gets my blood flowing to a near-dangerous level. I can tell already at this point that the goal of this album is to push the boundaries of conventional punk to its limits. As I begin to craft this album review, I can’t help but embrace the raw energy of the music as it mixes beautifully with the fervor of a summer that refuses to be ignored. Let’s just say that I‘m wondrously aware of how stimulated my senses have become.
Čerti, Plameny a Tvoje Oči (Demons, Flames, and Your Eyes) showcases the band's ability to blend noise elements with punk roots seamlessly. Of course, neither the music nor vocals are flawless, otherwise, how could we call what I’m listening to punk. But the juxtaposition of dissonance and melody adds depth to the track, creating an immersive experience that invites listeners to explore the nuances of each layer. Feťák Bahno (Mud Junkie) follows suit, allowing this track to round off a trio of standouts at the intial stage of Šnečí Med, delving further into the realm of experimental soundscapes. In fact, this song really captivated me, its fiery atmosphere full of cool guitar riffs and vocals reminding me of sweat-drenched crowds and chaotic mosh pits, a more-than-necessary catharsis in the form of a primal detox. Gotta love it.
But the fun doesn‘t stop here. Tracks like Tribalus Nemakačenko Fuchs (No idea how to translate this) and Ohavné malé ohavné (Nasty Little Hideous Ones) fully maximize the ever-present cacophonous nature of this album, and the band knows how to use cacophony as an artistic tool. You can hear it in the worldviews of Patlal Motal and tones of Magion, as well as on the other tracks, which are all examples of the band's outlook and support of social movements in the noise punk genre. These two tracks alone are some of the wildest your ears will ever be treated to.
A notable highlight is also the track Šnečí Med. This title track is a culmination of Kurvy Češi's musical vision. It encapsulates their mastery of blending aggressive punk instrumentation with unexpected shifts in dynamics. I totally got off on its raw energy and passion, and placing it at the end of the album makes you appreciate the destination, even though the journey getting there was more than amazing on its own.
And my prognosis? Kurvy Češi deliver an album that not only challenges conventions, but also demands active engagement. It can hardly be called background music— it's an experience where listeners can fully immerse themselves in all of the clever arrangements and sonic landscapes while taking a joy ride of sorts through the last days of the hot summer months. Definitely a must-listen-to for any fan of punk music who loves a band that pushes itself over the limits while all the time feeling no guilt, just pure pleasure while doing so.
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