Album Review: Prigode Palčkov Poljančkov by Ivan Sivec
Alright, so let’s talk about Prigode Palčkov Poljančkov, a children’s album that feels like someone wrapped your childhood in a warm blanket and then sprinkled it with magic dust. Released under Helidon, this thing is a mix of storytelling and music, kinda like those cozy bedtime stories you wish you had as a kid. It’s got all the right people behind it too—artwork by Dunja Kofler, narration by Ivanka Mežanova, engineering by Sandi Zgonc, and music composed by Borut Lesjak. You can tell everyone involved really cared about making something special here.
Now, I’ll be honest—I’m not usually into kids’ albums. But this one? It stuck with me. Maybe it’s because it doesn’t try too hard to be “funny” or “cute.” Instead, it just tells its little tales in a way that even adults might find themselves nodding along to. Let me break down two tracks that stood out for me:
First up, “Tekmovanje Treh Palčkov” (or "The Competition of Three Little Thumbs"). Okay, hear me out—this track is pure gold. The story has these three tiny thumb characters competing against each other, but instead of being all serious, it’s playful and kinda silly. Aleksander Valič voices them with such personality, you almost forget they’re fictional. And the music? Oh man, Borut Lesjak nails it. There’s this bouncy rhythm that makes you wanna tap your feet, even if you’re sitting at your desk pretending to work. It’s lighthearted without being annoying, which is harder than it sounds.
Then there’s “Izgubljeni Palček” (“The Lost Thumb”). This one hit different. Without giving too much away, it’s about a little thumb who gets lost and goes on an adventure to find their way back home. Sounds simple, right? But the way Ivanka Mežanova narrates it gives it this emotional undertone that sneaks up on you. Like, I wasn’t expecting to feel anything from a story about a thumb, but here we are. The melody is soft and kinda dreamy, perfect for when the thumb is wandering through unknown places. By the end, I was rooting for the little guy like crazy.
What I love most about this album is how it balances fun and heart. It’s not trying to teach kids big lessons or shove morals down their throats—it’s just letting them enjoy the ride. Plus, the production quality is top-notch. Hats off to Metka Rojc for recording and Eva Blumauer for editing; everything flows smoothly, no awkward jumps or weird pauses.
So yeah, Prigode Palčkov Poljančkov isn’t just another kids’ album. It’s the kind of thing that reminds you why stories matter, whether you’re five or fifty. And honestly, if I ever have kids, this is going straight into their playlist. Who knows? Maybe I’ll borrow it myself when I need a pick-me-up.
Random thought: If thumbs could actually talk, I bet they’d sound exactly like Aleksander Valič. Just saying.
