Polkas for a Gloomy World

There are those who despise polka, and then there are those whose boundless passion for polka knows no limits, which is where Brave Combo come in. Challenging a gray and grouchy world to get knees-up for a while and chase the tuba player around the room, Brave Combo have turned out Polkas for a Gloomy World, a collection that finds the meeting place between Eastern Europe and the Tejano brand of accordion demolition music. It's a delightful mix of humor and seriousness, with some oddball ideas tossed in for good measure ("Near the Karpat Mountains" has this odd little bit of digital reversing in the mix, not to mention some very odd sounds indeed). The two visible originals, "Flying Saucer" and "Mystery Spot Polka," are worthy pieces, too, bent and demented speed-demons. If you're looking for a rainy day pick-me-up and don't feel like committing mass destruction when you hear polkas, grab this album and follow up by acquiring everything you can find by Brave Combo.