*. Hokr .*

Album: Hokrova Vila (2004)
Genre: Prog Rock (Eclectic/Jazz/Symphonic/RIO/Avant)  /  Czech Republic

This is music originally composed and developed under difficult circumstances in Czechoslowakia between 1979 and 1985. As also known from other countries of the Eastern bloc the authorities only had an interest in music that matched with their dictatorial beliefs. HOKR had a nonconforming musical style and lyrics - tolerated for a while but not officially legalized and therefore the band was an underground insider's tip. But nevertheless they managed to organize several unofficial live performances in and around Prague at that time. Probably this is the reason why HOKR's music is somewhat dramatic. Now meanwhile drummer Petr Cermák emigrated to USA and Czechoslowakia later was split in two parts and therefore doesn't exist anymore. In 2002 the band members decided to come together again to produce their former stuff as a remake. 'Hokrova Vila' is the essence of the new recordings and they can be proud of it with reason. The album is a blend of symphonic, heavy and jazzy rocking parts with several melancholic emotional sections. Noticable of course (especially for non Czech) are Vladimír Liska's unusual native vocals which are often near to a recitative style. And he also delivers a crazy chicken intro for Na Dvore - by all means a special highlight which attracted attention here during the evaluation period of the band. Keyboarder Pavel Cermák uses an Ensoniq synthesizer which often sounds midway between hammond and mellotron and he is predominantly responsible for the dramatic mood. If someone is missing guitars in the main line-up the band is able to point out several cello contributions as a compensation though - except the last song. Furthermore HOKR includes nice saxophone additions here and there. The album starts with the instrumental Tomcat (sorry for using the english translations) somewhat classic symphonic with cello and undergoing several changes in the course further on. We have a wonderful floating grooving part included inspired by bass player Vítek Novák-Rosnecký. Mouse in a trance and Sorrow of the deflowered virgins are having a more jazzy/fusion character with several mood changes whereas Skin lotion with a rumbling bass and Voice of WC are heavy rocking songs with Liska's impressive contributions. The zappaesque Who rules over the stains shows a long mellow, gripping begin and Fallacy No. 64 is full of intense hammond similar keyboard parts which explodes at the end. They seem to be the most emotional songs for the band. Some translations of the lyrics with concealed messages are given on their website and based on the titles I'm quite sure the tracks are referring to their experiences in Czechia. The same for the last song The Cell where Pavel Cermák's keyboard sounds symphonic, near to funfair carousel music. 'Hokrova Vila' offers us a unique sound - a discovery for every prog fan in any case - recommended! Review by "Rivertree" (Prog Archives).

RATING:  8.5 / 10   **GREAT**

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