Kalbėk Lietuviškai by Plikas Kumštis – A Chaotic Love Letter to Lithuanian Pop Parody
Alright, let’s get one thing straight—this album is wild. Like, grab-your-ears-and-shake-them wild. Released in 1996 under the Geitas label, Kalbėk Lietuviškai isn’t just pop; it’s parody gold dripping with Lithuanian sass and absurdity. If you’re into music that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still smacks you upside the head with catchy hooks, this might be your jam. Or maybe not. Depends on how much you can handle raw chaos wrapped in bubblegum melodies.
First off, shoutout to “Serenada Mylimai Jadzei.” Oh man, this track hits like a drunk poet serenading his cow at 3 AM. It’s ridiculous, over-the-top, and somehow still sticks in your brain like gum under a school desk. The lyrics are hilariously cringey (in the best way), and the melody feels like someone took a sappy love ballad and gave it a shot of vodka. You’ll laugh, you’ll groan, and then you’ll hum it for days. That’s the magic of Plikas Kumštis—they don’t care if you think they’re dumb because they know you’re humming along anyway.
Then there’s “Plikas Kumštis - Liaudies Žodis,” which feels like a fever dream about Lithuanian folklore mashed up with a karaoke night gone wrong. This song has no chill. None. It’s loud, proud, and unapologetically weird, like your uncle telling jokes at a wedding after six beers. But damn, does it work. There’s something oddly charming about how it blends traditional vibes with slapstick humor. By the end, you’re either cheering or questioning your life choices. Either way, mission accomplished.
The rest of the album keeps the energy high, though some tracks feel more filler than fire. “Nelengva Visai Vaikystė” tries to tug at heartstrings but ends up tripping over its shoelaces instead. Still fun, though. And those two versions of “Kalbėkim Lietuviškai”? Yeah, they hammer home the whole “speak Lithuanian” theme so hard you might start dreaming in Lithuanian—or develop a headache. Your call.
Here’s the kicker: despite all its flaws—and trust me, there are plenty—this album works because it knows exactly what it is. It’s not trying to win Grammys or impress critics. It’s here to entertain, confuse, and make you laugh until you cry. And honestly? We need more albums like that. Music today is so polished it feels fake half the time. Plikas Kumštis reminds us that sometimes, being messy and real is better than being perfect.
Final thought: Listening to Kalbėk Lietuviškai feels like eating pickles dipped in chocolate—it shouldn’t work, but somehow it does. Just don’t blame me when you catch yourself singing “Serenada Mylimai Jadzei” in the shower.
