CD: “No Offense” by Antun Opic

Where do you start with someone who is half German, half Croation, billed as Balkan Music meets Desert Blues? At the start I guess!

Antun Opic is about to release his debut album, and it is tasty little bag of mixed nuts, all good. Unless you have an allergy. Ignore that. Antun and his trio have something a little special going on here, and are no doubt drawing upon the deep pool of resources of the artistics commune in Munich where they reside.

Opening with “Hospital” there is feeling of dark cabaret, probably influenced from his time with punk cabaret troupe “Strom & Wasser”. There is a feeling of alternative type of folk one which is a little off centre! The rhythm gets the foot tapping, the vocals hook you in, and the guitar work just oozes with an Eastern European character. The feeling of cabaret disperses as “Bulletproof Vest” takes on a more gentle vibe. Although these two tracks are almost completely disparate in styles they just go to underline the brilliant song writing, and versatile musicianship at work here, which continues through the album. “No Offense”, the title track, keeps the gentle vibe flowing, with a vocal delivery that keeps you hanging on every word. “I’m A Clown, who sets his stage on fire, because I’m afraid you would not like my show”, and “I just need a hug”

A return to the feeling of dark cabaret with “The Informer”, almost sounding like The Peculiar Pretzelmen, at least with the funky sound and hoarse sounding vocals, not far off of Tom Waits. Whereas the sobering “Moses” comes across as an insightful political commentary, and in a modern context seems to be a social commentary on war and servitude.

Then there is the almost annoyingly catchy “Juanita” just to keep you off guard, and has an almost cheeky aire to it. With it’s horn section adding the feeling of a bygone era, yet coupled with Antuns vocals gives an interesting mix, and maintain that uniqueness. As quickly as “Juanita” came, it leaves you with “Don’t Forget” a more straight laced affair, dare I say pop styled track? “Warm” feels, err, warm. The track oozes from the speakers as the vocals asking for assistance from the listener, medicines to cure the ills. This sets the scene for the remainder of the album, which is a more laid-back affair. With the tracks taking on a gentler feel and guiding the listener through his journey and experiences. Especially “Good Friends” which tells of a struggling musician and the world we live in.

Closing with “Rootless Tree”, with it’s guitar and vocals just carries you along, not to mention coming in at over 7 minutes, seems to reflect Antuns lifestyle of travelling and continual movement. From it’s warm bass, and guitar work, it is an interesting and intimate journey, and if it was not for todays technology allowing to quickly and easily hit repeat, it is a fitting close to the album. Although, things take an interesting turn at about 4-5 minutes. But you will have to buy the album to find out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkJ-_AcSapw

Not having any other material by Antun Opic makes it hard to categorise or compare. Let’s call it alternative World Folk Music! (cabaret, punk sentiments, jazz, folk, pop,…) In some ways the album keeps you hooked in due to its almost bipolar nature of the tracks switching between the quirkier cabaret, and those more folkier aspects. Yet this also lends itself to the album wanting to be listened to again and again as you try and work out what is happening, and uncovering it’s many layers. For me the quirkier tracks keep pulling me back, and that keeps bringing the other tracks to the forefront.

I hope to be hearing more from Antun Opic, it strikes me that there is a wealth of stories and experiences to be told, or rather shared. I cannot wait to sit and listen to them.

The album is due out on 30th September.

Line Up
Antun Opic
Horst Fritscher
Tobias Kavelar
Freddy Engel
Bani Silva

Tracks
Hospital
Bulletproof Vest
No Offense
The Informer
Moses
We Don’t Give A Damn
Juanita Guerolita
Don’t Forget
Warm
Troubled Waltz
Good Friends
Rootless Tree

Links
http://www.antunopic.com
http://www.facebook.com/antunantun

Words by Jon.