Album Review: "Trans-Continental Hustle" by Gogol Bordello

When you listen to Gogol Bordello's newest album you're probably going to pick up on some Latin roots mixed in with the usual gypsy punk madness, undoubtedly influenced by singer Eugene Hütz's relocation from New York to Rio. Hütz's pursuit of Afro-Latin beats has led to a personnel change in the band. Original drummer Eliot Ferguson (once called the only sane member in the band) has been replaced by a drummer by the name of Oliver Charles. Here's a a quote from Hütz on the band's newest addition:

"He comes from a dynasty of drummers from Trinidad, (which is) so essential for some of the new elements in our music. Oliver comes in with a full knowledge to break out the gypsy punk samba. It is out of this world."

Though I hate to see people leave bands (oh what will RHCP be without Frusciante?) as much as I hate to see good bands break up (Rage is never coming back) I can only hope that the split was made on good terms.

Anyway, back to the album. Trans-Continental Hustle opens strong with Pala Tute a song about a gypsy girl from Hütz's youth. The song, which has been a solid promotional favorite and was first heard on the DVD extras portion of Live From Axis Mundi, immediately gives the listener the basic gypsy goodness that can be expected from the band.

My Companjera continues along in the same vein. Musically, this song sounds a bit like a re-hash of My Strangle Uncles From Abroad, from 2007's Super Taranta. Sun Is On My Side adds some variation to Gogol Bordello, starting out as a somber and tender ballad.

The band brings back the fire with Rebellious Love and the album's first single and most punk-influenced effort, Immigraniada (We Comin' Rougher), before bringing it back down again. Hütz gets reflective on When Universes Collide, bringing the heavier fare of gang violence and war to the table. Despite serious musings, the band doesn't let it overcome then, instead rising triumphantly over the melancholy before finishing in a relaxed reprise.

The Latin sound starts coming out with Una Menina and Raise The Knowledge, which sports some mean violin licks and some electric organ (a rare addition for Gogol). The album ends strongly with Break The Spell and the title track. Break The Spell is perhaps the best rock number on the album, featuring exciting rhythms and riffs. The final track boasts samba rhythms and a chorus ripped from You Gave Up (Roumania), a song from the band's BBC Sessions featured on Live From Axis Mundi.

Overall, I'm extremely satisfied with this album. There's not a bad song on this album - all of the songs are extremely catchy and fun. The band, while employing a lot of the same tricks, is using some new influences to freshen up their sound (moving away from a lot of the dub sounds on Super Taranta!)

It's always a party with Gogol. Go get it.

The whole album can be streamed from their Myspace page here

For info on the band and their store go to their website here