Product Description

Klezmer-rock band Golem was founded by Annette Ezekiel Kogan in New York City, and since then, the band (Annette Ezekiel Kogan, Aaron Diskin, Jeremy Brown, Curtis Hasselbring, Taylor Bergren-Chrisman and Tim Monaghan) has become a leading re-interpreter and innovator of Yiddish and Eastern European music, pushing tradition forward into the 21st century. Golem performs nationally and internationally, from the east coast to the west, and from Paris to Mexico City to Stockholm to Warsaw. After self-released album, Homesick Songs, they released two albums, Fresh Off Boat and Citizen Boris on independent Jewish label, Jdub Records. Their new release, Tanz on Corasón Digital, marks a conscious move into new territory, with mainly original material created by the band. Golem s rock edge is given new emphasis by legendary Brooklyn producer Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu, They Might be Giants) who was able to capture their raucous energy. The album also features virtuoso New York guitarist Brandon Seabrook on three songs, including the traditional Tum Balalaika. With the release of Tanz, Golem forges forward with big plans for 2015, including festivals in Mexico, Europe and Serbia. Golem is known for its theatricality and fearless wild energy, combined with a boundless love of tradition. Golem is not your father s klezmer band, unless of course your father was Sid Vicious (Jewish Week).

Review

An album guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a dance in your step. And judging by the quality herein one wonders why it's taken them this long to do so! The joy of Golem lies in their unbridled, wild, joyous, riotous even heart. It's raw, unadulterated and it's the most colourful, emotional music you can find. It's also punk of course it's about doing what comes naturally, going with the flow and not worrying about anything except what you re doing. --louderthanwar.com

The New York band Golem has spent 14 years injecting punk attitude into the Klezmer cadences. They are persistently funny, irreverent, varied in subject matter, and at one moment heartbroken, the next deranged. Golem have put together their tightest program on their fourth album "Tanz." --NPR's Fresh Air

The title song translates dance, naturally, and is more frenetic than and very nearly as compelling as most of the many African-inspired calls to that activity. A- --Robert Christgau