"Prevari večeras svoje društvo sa mnom" by Biljana Krstić (1983)

At the peak of his early solo success, singer-songwriter Đorđe Balašević affectionately nudges ex-colleague from bands "Žetva" and "Rani mraz" into spotlight and tailors a whole album of new material for her. Guitarist Josip Boček also helps with music, wrapping everything in his recognisable production that worked so well for Balašević himself on his best-selling albums. I actually remember TV show where Balašević used his guest appearance to simply sit back and proudly introduce fellow singer with encouragement. 

For all his support, Biljana Krstić still didn't managed to break into really big time. She was likable, competent singer but one of those artists who work best as a part of the team, where her vocals gave special magic to collective effort. On her own, Krstić is sweet but not specially distinctive and I clearly recall my initial reaction that this is some pleasant girl from neighbourhood, who could have been nice acquaintance but she lacked charisma of true exceptional vocalists like Bebi Dol (with flowerpot on her head) or Josipa Lisac (madwoman in the attic). After all, the 1980s were about big hair, eye-catching outfits and colorful presentation, where Krstić appeared slightly reluctant to actually clown around.

In hindsight, several decades after its original release, "Prevari večeras svoje društvo sa mnom" sounds perfectly fine - I listened it this morning and surprised myself by enjoying it very much. Everything that didn't appeal to me back than - gentle pop flirting with soft-rock, witty little vignettes about ordinary people waiting for the bus and working in the office, lack of vocal acrobatics - suddenly appear very charming indeed. My reaction is surely coloured by both nostalgia (it sounds exactly as any early 1980s Balašević album) and mature acceptance that life often have magic amongst most routine, everyday lives. That Krstić never attempts to playact into some role that don't suite her and firmly holds on to a certain girl-next-door comfort zone now makes perfect sense, even if this is not something that would bring you to a magazine covers. The whole album is a nice surprise for any Balašević fan as it could have been sung by his younger sister.