When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, it meant more to Europe than mere rubble. It signified many things, including the demise of the Iron Curtain and the reunion of Europe and countries that were previously under the thumb of the USSR. Now, in celebration of the fall of the Iron Curtain, Hungarian punk rockers bankrupt are taking a good look at modern Europe with their new EP, Razor Wires and Neon Lights- and still finding it very divided.
The unrelenting urgency of the first track, "Wave of Bankruptcy" is a perfect example of the European state of affairs. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Europe, the economy still teeters on the brink of bankruptcy. Though this is the band's fifth release, the irony of the name of the band in times of economic crisis is incredible.
"Agony Bay" is a perfect blend of punk rock and rockabilly and also manages to depict the wait that Europe has gone through in its search for freedom and unification. The chorus depicts how the band feels about this idea beautifully- "And we wait for better days / Better days that never come." Despite the Berlin wall being less than a fraction of what it used to be, better days are not quite around the corner just yet.
From there, the album rushes in to another politically-charged track with "Parallel Worlds." The track shows that despite the Berlin Wall being obliterated, Europe still remains figuratively divided between East and West.
After focusing on the European state of affairs, bankrupt turn their attention to a matter that was much closer to home: the Hungarian railway strike of December 2008 that left thousands of people stranded and unable to join their families for Christmas. The song is blisteringly angry, channeling the frustration and hurt of those left behind by the strike.
The last two songs of the album sees a dramatic shift in mood. The much more lighthearted "No Surrender" focuses on following dreams, and not giving up until you've gotten to where you want to go. The last track, "Independent Girl," is actually a track that was remastered from the band's early efforts. Though in terms of subject matter, these two songs seem out of place, it adds some much-needed levity to the EP that makes the EP as a whole seem more well-rounded than two more anger-filled, politically-charged tracks could.
While punk rock retains much of the same elements the world over, not all punk bands can sound nealry as good as bankrupt. They have taken a monumental historical event, and looked at it with a magnifying glass twenty years later, and made an EP that has purpose and meaning, and shines a light on how not all things are as perfect as they may seem. Razor Wires and Neon Lights is an apt album name; Europe escaped the clutch of the USSR only to continue to be limited- only this time, by themselves.
The EP is now freely downloadable here.
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