Formed: 1990
How I became a fan
I saw the video for Sweet Johnny, on the legendary Chart Show I believe. I think that Tatay was surprisingly the first album of theirs I got and I became quite obsessed with their music for a good year or so after that.
Comments
The mentality of the average music fan is detailed quite nicely by their reaction to Gorky's Zygotic Mynci as it seems fair to assume 95% of people who have come into contact with them have dismissed them because of their name and the fact they sang largely in Welsh before evolving into what I like to describe as a psychedelic folk band. True? Well it's their loss! Anyone dismissing a band for such frivolous reasons deserves to miss out as Gorky's have always had something special about them. Their early stuff on Ankst was occasionally insane and totally fascinating with many glorious melodies and their evolution into a unique folk act was not something an original fan would ever have anticipated! The beauty of their songs and delightful singing (one of the best voices around) could win over people of any age if they'd care to listen. And they can rock in their own fantastic and original way too!
Maybe Gorky's took things slightly too far, as with their Sleep/Holiday album the band seemed to have gone down a musical cul-de-sac. They'd lost the Welsh tunes and the crazy bits which made them so interesting and just came across as a slightly strange folk band. In the previous incarnation of this review I voiced that I hoped Gorky's would either find a meaningful new direction or split up "with their place as a great undiscovered treasure fully intact". And so it has come to pass that they have decided to call it a day. This is very sad news, but I can't help but feel it's for the best. Gorky's seemed to have reached the limit of what they could do, and finding a new direction worth going just proved too difficult. They have done the perfect thing by leaving behind a stunning back catalogue that will stand as more than enough to enjoy for years to come. Euros has now embarked on an exciting solo journey and it is now up to the idiotic populace of the world to catch up and see what they've missed!
Bad points
Gorky's were always a distinctive band, and I suppose it was always hard to imagine them moving away from the type of music they'd reached on Sleep/Holiday. They also didn't play as many old songs live as I'd like them to. But what can I say? Gorky's are brilliant and there are few valid reasons to criticise them.
Ten songs you really should know before you judge this band
Let's Get Together (In Our Minds) (1998)
Assessment
Tunes: 9/10
Final judgement: 9.0/10
The bottom line
Okay, I can see Gorky's Zygotic Mynci will never be appreciated by everyone but, if you can't enjoy beautiful music, no doubt you'll smile at their early insane stuff at least!
Disbanded: 2006
Merched Yn Neud Gwallt Ei Gilydd (1994)
Patio Song (1997)
Poodle Rockin' (1999)
Stood On Gold (2001)
Sweet Johnny (1998)
The Game Of Eyes (1994)
The Humming Song (1999)
The Man With Salt Hair (1995)
Young Girls & Happy Endings (1997)
Accessibility: 6/10
Originality: 8/10
Diversity: 8/10
Rockability: 8/10
Balladability: 9/10
Consistency (of b-sides): 8/10
Consistency (over career): 8/10
Live show: 8/10
Influence: 6/10
Vocals: 10/10
Interestingness: 7/10
Lyrics: 7/10
Work ethic: 9/10
Image: 5/10
