Vodka Party’s Melbourne Tour EP 2001 – A Wild Ride Through Polka Chaos
Alright, buckle up, because this ain’t your grandma’s polka album. Vodka Party’s Melbourne Tour EP 2001 is a chaotic explosion of rock, folk, world, and country vibes mashed into one gloriously unhinged package. Released back in 2001 (yeah, the same year everyone was freaking out about Y2K), this Aussie gem slaps harder than a kangaroo on steroids. And let me tell ya, it doesn’t care if you’re ready for it or not.
First off, the lineup reads like some kind of musical mad scientist experiment: banjo shredding by Dave Scully? Check. Tuba rumbling courtesy of Dave Freedman? Double check. Oh, and don’t forget Pete Middleton pounding away at percussion like he’s trying to wake the dead. The whole thing feels like a barnyard brawl where every instrument gets its chance to throw hands. It’s messy, loud, and unapologetically fun as hell.
Now, onto the tracks. You wanna know why I still can’t shake “(The Adventures Of) Economic Man”? Simple—it’s nuts. Like, straight-up bonkers. Imagine someone took a polka beat, threw in some twangy guitar riffs from Keith Mason, and then just let Alex Pope scream his lungs out about capitalism or whatever. It’s catchy as all get-out but also kinda makes you feel guilty for tapping your foot to something so aggressively weird. That’s the magic here—it hooks you even while it confuses the crap out of you.
Then there’s “Stick Your Finger Through Your Neck (Is Hard To Say If You’re A Czech).” What the actual hell is that title, right? But man, once you hit play, it’s an unstoppable freight train of accordion madness and tuba groans. The rhythm hits like a punch to the gut, and before you know it, you’re humming along to lyrics that sound like they were written after one too many beers. This track sticks with you because it refuses to leave quietly. It’s obnoxious, sure, but in the best possible way.
Here’s the kicker though—this album wasn’t made to fit neatly into any genre box. Hell, it probably didn’t even try. Instead, it’s more like a drunken stumble through Melbourne’s underground music scene circa 2001. There’s no label backing them (seriously, “Not On Label” might be the most punk move ever), and yet these guys pull off something raw and unforgettable.
So yeah, Melbourne Tour EP 2001 is a hot mess—but damn if it isn’t a good one. Listening to it feels like crashing a wild party where nobody knows each other but everyone’s having the time of their lives anyway. And honestly? Maybe that’s exactly what we need more of in music today. Or maybe I’m just drunk typing this review. Who knows?
Final thought: If aliens ever invade Earth, blast this album at ‘em. Either they’ll surrender immediately, or they’ll start dancing. Either way, win-win.
