Released
1998
Label
Iris Light
Reviewed by
Michael C. Lund
Contact
Iris Light
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St. Columb Major
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UK
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Last Edit/Update
18 august, 1998
Széki Kurva
THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS (EP)
Track Listing
1. By The Time I Get To Kolozsvár
(BulletInTheHeadMix)
2. Rags And Béla The Fearless Vampire Killers
(SzékiSzékiSputnikMix)
3. Don'tcha Know
(HotDogsForBosniaMix)
4. A Running Duck
(IceStationZebraMix)
5. Head Heaven
(ProzaCalypsoMix)
6. Balkan Express
(LittleGoatsForeverMix)
The guerilla hit-squad of the British underground electronic dance scene strikes again! Széki
Kurva is back with a new EP The Fearless Vampire Killers -- their third
release on Iris Light. The CD presents six new tracks, all sporting the
band's characteristic accelerated drums and bass rhythms, gypsy folk samples, racing
guitar loops and great vulgar lyrics that, with sarcastic wit, reveal Széki Kurva's
anti-establishment sentiments. However, this time around the Széki-engine
runs even smoother, as the glossy veneer of classic Hollywood musicals has been gleaned
and infused into the music on several of the tracks, the samples have been incorporated
more seamlessly into the music, and the lyrics have been kept primarily in English.
"By The Time I Get To
Kolozsvár" opens with a dreamy orchestral overture, after which the song blasts off
at maximum revolutions, with everything from frantic rhythms that sound like a tornado
inside a beat box to saber dance symphonics. The vocals are spat out
alternatively in Hungarian and English, and concern the age-old enmity between the
Hungarian and Rumanian peoples. The CD continues in high gear with "Rags And Béla
The Fearless Vampire Killers," which borrows the punky guitar riffs of Sigue
Sigue Sputnik, and pits them against a stormy balalaika solo. A sermon on
non-conformism is delivered rap-style, while the young generation urges the Székis
on with agitated yells and general applause. The quest to take over the world
continues on "Don'tcha Know," with playful strings, joyous chorus samples, and
no-nonsense vocals concerning the Hungarian people's aspirations to assimilate the
capitalist lifestyle of Western Europe.
Following the short instrumental
track "A Running Duck," Széki Kurva kicks back with a homage
to the amorous prowess of Budapest Boys. "Head Heaven" features
deliciously naughty lyrics performed cabaret-style, and supported by sweeping, romantic
string loops, submissive acoustic guitars, a lazy bass beat, locusts, and a scratch here
and there -- a musical cocktail worthy of even the greatest lover. However, the true
consummation of The Fearless Vampire Killers is "Balkan Express," the
longest, but also most accomplished piece on the EP. Opening with an extended sequence of
convoluted, reflective vocals spoken over a musical backdrop that appears to have been
lifted out of a 50s thriller flick, the express departs with the phrase: "...And for
all these reasons I have decided to scalp you, and burn your village to the ground."
The ensuing pace is downright unhealthy -- a loud, wild chase of frenetic stompings (185 a
minute to be exact), distorted guitars, orchestral interludes, a happy piccolo flute,
gypsy injections, and big band brass samples...
Get the picture? The party does not
begin until this Széki CD hits the stereo.
Profile
Széki Kurva
Feature Artist
Article Aug/1998