Ćiribiribela

Misunderstood album. Of course, this is not Bijelo Dugme from the 70s, not even close, but to take this album and say that it is at the bottom (or at the very bottom) of their discography is insane and just prue heresy. Brega has not lost his charm and power to turn some ideas that would have independently built a mediocre album into an album and a half.

While before he flirted with the motifs of autochthonous Romani music, here more than ever there is that atmosphere that will make the gentleman in question get the stamp of a plagiarist in a class of his own. Take that how you will, but for me, it's not if he is or is not a plagiarist, but how well he uses those plagiarized notions and moments to create an album, and he uses them far better than I would expect, given his track record.

Although at times there is classic "80s cheese" in the form of synths and electro drums, it is not a minus, because the rest of the group shines as usual. Alen's vocals give that smack and power that is a characteristic sign of this band. Because of this album, I'm starting to like Alija more as a vocalist (maybe even more than Bebek). Epic tracks such as "Djurdjevan", "Evo Zaklet Cu Se" and "After All These Years" are proof of that. The rest of the album is just as good in other ways. The songs have staying power and are quite infectious and catchy.

The more I listen to it, the less I regret buying this LP instead of Time's debut.