Album Review: Bėkit Mediniai Žirgeliai by Regimantas Šilinskas – A Folk Odyssey You Didn’t Know You Needed
Let’s cut to the chase: Bėkit Mediniai Žirgeliai (which roughly translates to “Run, Wooden Horses” because why not?) is one of those albums that sneaks up on you like an overzealous Lithuanian polka band at a wedding. Released in 2012 under Zuzi Records, this gem from Regimantas Šilinskas dives headfirst into the world of folk music—but don’t let that fool you. This isn’t your grandma’s lullaby playlist; it’s more like your eccentric uncle who insists on playing accordion solos at family gatherings.
The album kicks off with some absolute bangers, but two tracks stood out to me so hard they practically tattooed themselves onto my brain. First up, we’ve got “Žiogų Polka.” Now, I’m no expert on what "žiogų" means (Google says it’s something about fences), but dang, this track feels like running through a field barefoot while someone chases you with a bucket of water. It’s playful, fast-paced, and just chaotic enough to make you wonder if Šilinskas was channeling his inner mischievous woodland sprite when he wrote it. Every time I hear it, I half expect to see cartoon animals dancing around my living room.
Then there’s “Polka ‘Pašokėk’”, which sounds like the name of a secret handshake club for Eastern European villagers. This one hits different—it’s got that infectious beat that makes even the most rhythmically challenged among us want to grab a partner and spin wildly until we fall over. There’s something delightfully unhinged about how joyful yet slightly manic this tune feels. By the end of it, I found myself shouting “PAŠOKĖK!” at random strangers on the street. They didn’t know what to do with me, but hey, art inspires action, right?
Now, let’s talk about the vibe here. The whole album has this rustic charm to it, like it was recorded in someone’s barn during a particularly rowdy harvest festival. Tracks like “Lezginka iš Baleto ‘Gajane’” bring in hints of drama, while others, such as “Storulis,” feel cozy and comforting—like wrapping yourself in a wool blanket after too much potato salad. And then there’s the gloriously bombastic “Gladiatorių Maršas,” which sounds exactly how you’d imagine gladiator-themed marching music should sound: epic, slightly ridiculous, and perfect for pretending you’re leading an army of chickens into battle.
What strikes me most about Bėkit Mediniai Žirgeliai is its sheer unapologetic weirdness. It doesn’t try to be cool or trendy—it just does its own thing, full throttle, and leaves you wondering whether you should laugh, cry, or start a spontaneous hoedown. Most modern music feels filtered through layers of algorithms and focus groups, but this? This is raw, untamed fun.
In conclusion, listening to this album felt like taking a trip inside Regimantas Šilinskas’s brain—and honestly, it’s a pretty nice place to visit. If anything, it reminded me that life’s too short to take seriously all the time. So next time you’re feeling down, throw on “Žiogų Polka,” grab a broomstick as a makeshift dance partner, and let loose. Who knows? Maybe wooden horses really can teach us how to run free. Or maybe I’ve just been drinking too much coffee again. Either way, 10/10 would recommend.
