CD review. Lithuanian rock legend SINICKIS: Between irony and lyricism

Tracklist

1    Juokas Pro Ašaras    4:13 
2    Kaltas Gerumas    3:07
3    Mylimas Vyras Ir Sūnus    4:17
4    Laiminga Pabaiga    2:17
5    Pakartot    3:19
6    Nereikia Proto    4:02
7    Aš Viską Suprantu    3:15
8    Pilietis    5:35
9    Rimtas Sutrikimas    3:03
10    Likimo Dovana    3:23
11    Lūkesčiai Ir Pasiekimai    4:12

Credits

Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, Music By, Lyrics By, Arranged By – Tomas Sinicki
Backing Vocals, Percussion, Arranged By – Germanas Skoris
Bass Guitar – Henrikas Piktužis
Design – Andrius Čiukšys
Drums – Tarass Kuzmenko
Mastered By – Frank Arkwright
Photography – Ramūnas Danisevičius
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Germanas Skoris
Saxophone – Wojciech Orszewski (tracks: 5)
Solo Guitar – Germanas Skoris (tracks: 1, 4, 8, 9, 10), Tomas Sinicki (tracks: 2, 5, 7, 9)
Trumpet – Laurynas Lapė (tracks: 4, 8)
Violin – Vitalija Makrickienė (tracks: 3)

Now, as you can see, Sinickis here is not alone. He has a fine saxophone, violin and trumpet supporters, great musician Germanas Skoris and other wonderful musicians who make Tomas’ irony softer. 

Sinickis admires Johnny Cash, not Bob Dylan. Anyway, Google Play recommends this album as “folk” one. This could be kind of anecdote. He himself calls his style “power pop”. 

However, it’s not a casual indie rock album. Irony prevails. The style is a little bit similar to Joy Division, The Stone Roses. But different, as Tomas has a strong and little bit strange voice, which even reminds a little bit of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis. 

To tell the truth, I didn’t expect this album to be such a melodic one. So, here’s the new side of Sinickis: cynical, ironical, satirical, but lyrical, too. 

Anyway, the world, according to him, is “Juokas pro ašaras” (“Laughing with tears in eyes”). The title song (and its video clip should also be mentioned as a piece of art with great actors) and “Laiminga pabaiga” (“Happy end”) are definitely the best and harshest. “Pakartot” (“To repeat”), “Aš viską suprantu” (“I understand everything”) and others make great tunes. So, sing and enjoy! But remember, irony is here, there and everywhere. Don‘t take Sinickis as a pop musician. 

Earlier Tomas’ band GRAVEL became a rock legend, although it had released only two albums (“Pockets full of fun” and “Dirty Beauty”) in 2006 and 2008. By the way, most of Gravel’s songs are in English. 

Kaltas gerumas. (The goodness is guilty.) This ironic motto sums up what Sinickis does. Perfectly!

Links

www.sinickis.com 

www.facebook.com/tomassinickis

twitter.com/tomassinickis

www.facebook.com/gravelgrizk