Ambitious and somewhat sprawling double LP album where 1960s romantic balladeer tries to spread his wings and try some different subjects - commendable decision and definitely artistic statement, but here is where Arsen Dedić evolved into cult artist and perhaps lost his commercial mass appeal. If during previous decade he was very much beloved, popular and even poster boy for certain generation of girls, now he moved away from romantic "boy/girl" songs and was obviously ready to explore other pastures. Even though "Homo Volans" have its share of romantic ballads, now he also sings about lonely life of quiet tenant, small gardens of suburban houses, nomadic life of musicians and to top it all, there is also a very witty & humorous ditty about relationship where food replaced the passion.
The title "Homo Volans" is a nod to 17th century bishop from Šibenik (artist's birthplace) who is remembered as probable inventor of parachute (however, Leonardo da Vinci was there before him) - this already gives you some idea about Dedić's perspective and erudition which has almost nothing in common with the rest of popular mainstream entertainers who graced TV shows in the early 1970s. This brought a lot of adversity from large audiences who now found singer too serious for popular radio waves and from now on he will be supported by small but passionate following, where previous decade he enjoyed actual conventional appeal. Dedić will continue on, specially in demand as a songwriter for other artists, but his own discography will be an acquired taste.
Personally, it took me some time and patience to warm up to "Homo Volans", probably because its cinematic atmosphere is a bit removed from singer's previous romantic repertoire and music recorded here often borders on atonal - creepy, disturbing strings and somber subjects are not exactly easy listening, while singer's declamatory style ("death, death, DEATH!") is not something you sing along. Brave experiment, but it might test listener's patience.
1 comment:
Loved this album since I first heard it. But I am a jazz fusion freak, so, I like when he got a little bit avante garde. His early cover versions of Italian chansons are also some of my fav works by him as well as some of the funkier work he did in the late 1970s. :) <3
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