Tribute to Ljubiša Georgijević 1976-2005: A Raw Punk Love Letter from Serbia
Alright, so here’s the deal—this album Role Model: Tribute To Ljubiša Georgijević 1976–2005 is one of those hidden gems that kinda sneaks up on you. Released in 2006 by a bunch of bands under Studentski Kulturni Centar Novi Sad and Socijala Records, it’s not your typical tribute record. It’s got grit, heart, and enough punk fury to make your ears ring for days. The whole thing screams hardcore and punk vibes, but there’s also this weird sense of nostalgia running through it. Like, you can tell everyone involved really cared about Ljubiša Georgijević (whoever he was—I had to Google him).
Now, let me break it down for ya. There are some bangers on here, but two tracks stuck with me like gum on a shoe: “Virtual Babylon” and “Ljuba Nije Straight Edge.”
First off, “Virtual Babylon”—man, this track hits hard. It starts with this gnarly riff that feels like someone just kicked you in the chest, but in a good way? You know what I mean? The energy doesn’t let up either; it’s fast, loud, and kinda chaotic, but in the best possible way. What makes it memorable is how raw it sounds—it’s like they didn’t even bother cleaning it up in post-production, which honestly works perfectly. Feels real, y’know? Like, these guys weren’t trying to be perfect; they were just trying to get their point across. And damn if it doesn’t work.
Then there’s “Ljuba Nije Straight Edge,” which is just… wild. If you’re into punk rock humor, this one’s gonna hit different. It’s got this sarcastic edge to it (pun totally intended), poking fun at straight-edge culture while still keeping things lighthearted. The vocals are all over the place—like, imagine someone yelling at you in a crowded bar, but in a way that makes you wanna laugh instead of run away. Plus, the lyrics have this absurd charm to them. By the time the chorus kicks in, you’ll probably find yourself singing along even though you don’t speak Serbian. Trust me, it’s catchy as hell.
The rest of the album follows suit—tracks like “Drugsick” and “Police State” keep the intensity going, while songs like “That’s Life (Parts 1 & 2)” add a bit of variety to the mix. Honestly, it’s impressive how diverse the styles are without losing that cohesive punk feel. Oh, and shoutout to whoever decided to cover Fugazi’s “Waiting Room.” That took guts, and they pulled it off pretty well.
But here’s the kicker—the more I listened to this album, the more I realized it’s less about Ljubiša Georgijević himself and more about the scene he inspired. These bands aren’t just paying homage to a dude; they’re celebrating an entire movement. It’s messy, unpolished, and full of passion—all the things that make punk rock great.
And hey, maybe that’s why this album sticks with you. It’s not perfect, but neither is life. Sometimes, it’s the imperfections that make something truly special. So yeah, give this one a spin if you’re into hardcore or punk. Just don’t blame me when your neighbors start complaining about the noise.
Oh, and random thought—what if Ljubiša hated punk music? Would that make this whole tribute ironic? Food for thought.
