Album Review: "קח שירים" by כנסיית השכל – A Wild Ride Through Israeli Rock in 1994
Alright, buckle up, because we’re diving into קח שירים (literally “Take Songs”), the quirky rock gem from כנסיית השכל (Church of Reason), released way back when flannel shirts were still cool and grunge was king. This Israeli masterpiece came out in '94 under Hed-Arzi Records, and it’s got more layers than your grandma’s lasagna. Let’s break it down.
First off, let me just say—the credits on this thing read like a who’s-who of Israel’s music scene at the time. You’ve got רן אלמליח holding down vocals AND bass duties like some kind of musical superhero. Then there’s מייק גולן doing keyboards, sampling, AND programming—basically wearing all the hats while everyone else is trying to figure out how to wear one hat properly. And don’t even get me started on that saxophone solo by יורם חזן—it sneaks up on you like an uninvited guest at a party but somehow ends up being the life of the room.
Now, onto the tracks. There are eight songs here, each with its own flavor, but two really stuck with me for different reasons.
Track Highlight 1: רוצה להשתגע ("Wants to Go Crazy")
This track hits hard right out of the gate. It’s raw, edgy, and feels like someone handed the band a bunch of caffeine pills before recording. The guitar riffs courtesy of דוד ראסד? Chef’s kiss. They’re crunchy enough to make you wanna grab an air guitar and pretend you’re headlining Lollapalooza ‘94. But what makes this song unforgettable is the energy—it’s chaotic in the best possible way, like watching puppies play tug-of-war. By the end, you’re not sure if you should dance or call animal control.
Track Highlight 2: שיר אוהב וכואב ("A Loving and Painful Song")
Okay, so this one flips the vibe completely. If “רוצה להשתגע” is the wild friend dragging you to karaoke night, then “שיר אוהב וכואב” is the quiet buddy sitting in the corner writing poetry about heartbreak. Ran Elmaliah’s voice has this haunting quality here—it’s tender yet full of grit, like sandpaper wrapped in velvet. The melody lingers long after the last note fades, leaving you staring wistfully into space thinking about exes you didn’t even have.
---
The rest of the album keeps the momentum going, blending rock with touches of jazz and electronic experimentation thanks to sound designer אורי ברק and producer חיים שמש. And can we talk about those photos by רונן ללנה? They perfectly capture the moody, introspective tone of the record. Someone give that guy a raise—or at least another roll of film.
So yeah, קח שירים isn’t perfect. Some parts feel a little rough around the edges, but honestly? That’s part of its charm. It’s messy, passionate, and unapologetically itself—a lot like most of us after a few too many cups of coffee.
And now for my unexpected remark: Listening to this album made me realize something profound. Music doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel to leave a mark; sometimes, it just needs to remind you that wheels exist—and maybe teach you how to drive them sideways through a puddle. So crank up קח שירים, embrace the chaos, and remember: even in 1994, Israel knew how to rock.
Rating:
