Review: Gogol Bordello – Trans-Continental Hustle
With this being popular “gypsy punk” band Gogol Bordello’s major label debut (and follow-up to the critically acclaimed Super Taranta!), massively talented frontman/troubadour Eugene Hutz has a lot to prove. Drawing on his personal experiences from living in Brazil, he and his collective of musicians create one of the most poetic records of recent times, an album encompassing and engrossing all matters of love and growing up.
I’d put this album up there with The Hold Steady’s Heaven Is Whenever and Titus Andronicus’ The Monitor on the short list for best album this year when it comes to matters of the heart. Songs such as “Pala Tute” and “Rebellious Love” show that even when the band loses some of its “folk rock meets Minor Threat” trappings they are capable of creating passionate (and fun) music.
The heavy Latin flair found on this album edges out the Eastern European-influenced music on their previous records, making this feel like the bands first truly “serious” record. This is somewhat to its detriment, losing some of the humor and fun that has made the band such a big hit. Overall this is a great album from a band that might finally get the attention it deserves, but much like Against Me!’s New Wave and White Crosses, the departure to form might push away some diehard fans.
Gogol Bordello:
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Daniel Pittman lives in Florida and has lots of ideas about the Batman franchise. Follow him on Twitter!Email this Author | All posts by Daniel Pittman
