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Gulag Orkestar
by
Gulag Orkestar Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 58 Ratings

  • Summary: This Eastern European-sounding, multi-instrumental effort is actually the work of Albuquerque teenager Zach Condon. Members of A Hawk And A Hacksaw also lend a hand.

Top Track

Prenzlauerberg
So alone I cry but something something I came through tonight... just like you And all this advice has fallen through I watch and wait as Something... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Stylus Magazine
    91
    It's tightly focused, beautifully written, and totally without filler.
  2. Lost At Sea
    90
    Though he may not have the experience in years, he more than makes up for it in the way he crafts his songs.
  3. Almost Cool
    88
    An outstanding debut album, and easily one of my favorite releases of the year so far.
  4. Q Magazine
    80
    An astonishingly moving distillation of Eastern European melancholia with elegant histrionics a la Rufus Wainwright. [Dec 2006, p.141]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Pitchfork
    77
    Time and again, the most powerful element of Gulag Orkestar, and what ought to be emphasized, is Condon's acrobatic, powerful, emotionally nuanced voice.
  6. Under The Radar
    70
    A wonderful debut. [#14]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. PopMatters
    60
    The 11 tracks of Gulag Orkestar are very good, but not the stunning achievement you might be led to believe they are.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 26
  3. Negative: 1 out of 26
  1. jotaeseche
    Aug 2, 2014
    10
    Uplifting most of the time, with a pinch of depression, nostalgia and rejoice. With clear, pure, sensitive and deep instruments and Zach'sUplifting most of the time, with a pinch of depression, nostalgia and rejoice. With clear, pure, sensitive and deep instruments and Zach's exhilarating and emotional voice. Much more than 11 tracks: almost 40 minutes of an exquisite feeling... travelling back to a traditional Balkan party where everything feels, breathes hope and celebration. To describe it in a word, this album is sublime.… Expand
  2. JoeE
    Dec 29, 2006
    10
    Hearing this rich and brilliant album and then reading about Condon's age has made me reevaluate the past few years of my life. . . He Hearing this rich and brilliant album and then reading about Condon's age has made me reevaluate the past few years of my life. . . He perfectly captures the spirit of the style he's emulating without being a slave to authenticity. Genius.… Expand
  4. scoffc
    May 6, 2007
    10
    great and special album.
  5. TomZ
    Jun 7, 2006
    9
    It is nearly impossible for only one man to create great folk music, yet Zach Condon manages to capture the spirit of eastern block so well It is nearly impossible for only one man to create great folk music, yet Zach Condon manages to capture the spirit of eastern block so well that when listening to this album, images of cruising through narrow roads of Lithuania in an old LADA loop constantly inside of my head.… Expand
  6. [Anonymous]
    Oct 23, 2006
    9
    Excellent. One of the best of 2006.
  7. Prastari
    Jul 15, 2006
    9
    I am from (South)Eastern Europe and this melancholie is so close to me.
  8. Cat
    Sep 25, 2006
    3
    Very disappointing. The songs are all a muddle of homogeneous instrumentation, and it's very difficult to discern what he's saying. Very disappointing. The songs are all a muddle of homogeneous instrumentation, and it's very difficult to discern what he's saying. I like Neutral Milk Hotel, but I don't want all the songs to sound like "The Fool." This just didn't mesh with my tastes at all.… Expand

See all 26 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Best Album of 2006
48
#48 Most Shared Album of 2006

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