Miloš Zubac i Milan Korać: SERBIA

The process of healing for a nation is a long and difficult one, fraught with disappointment and tantalising glimpses of joy. When war is over soldiers return home and pretenders strive to be kings. Some people dwell in bitterness and prejudice while others strive for beauty and cultivate peace. In such times the poet becomes a mirror and reflects the depths of the heart of a people. The poet is able to describe what is beautiful and instil hope or expose what is ugly and issue a warning. Some people may even listen.

MILOŠ ZUBAC I MILAN KORAĆ have released their second collaboration, Serbia **** (ROCKSVIRKE https://rocksvirkerecords.bandcamp.com/album/serbia), a sociocultural critique of their country's development since the end of the former Yugoslavia, with which they hope to provoke debate and raise awareness using music and poetry. Of course, some things never change and Zubac and Korać cleverly intersperse their own contemporary lyrics with hundred-year-old poetry that is just as relevant now as it was when it was written.

Similary, the music on this album has its roots in different ages. Some songs have melodies drawn from the depths of ancient Celtic and Eastern European folk while others echo the blues and rock traditions of the last century. Some songs are bare and minimal while others are beautifully orchestrated with diverse instrumentation. Korać is a wonderful guitarist and as ever his playing is expressive, inventive and original. Zubac and Korać both take lead and solo vocals on different tracks but wisely add sonic variety with some sweet harmonies that would rival the dawn chorus.

As the duo of friends individually lead two of Serbia’s most important bands, Prkos Drumski (https//prkosdrumski.bandcamp.com) and Šinobusi (www.sinobusi.com) respectively, it was perhaps inevitable that their collaborative muse would eventually lead to this project. Both men are honest compatriots who have always striven to produce curative, cathartic music. On Serbia they are genuine, sincere and truthful. They hold up a mirror to their society and candidly reflect it with nothing added and nothing taken away. That is the job of a poet. The album is available to download at the link provided. 

Eddie Cooney, RnR Magazine, July/August 2019, Vol2 No76