Pop World Cup: Czech Republic vs Togo

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

DAY OF THE MINNOWS - nobody gave either the Czech Republic or Togo much of a hope in the group stages, but they battled through, and now one of them is going to be a semi-finalist in the pop world cup, against Iran. Can mostlyconnect find the form which took his team past the might of Brazil? Will stevem78's heavy involvement in Togo's training sessions pay off? LET'S FIND OUT!

Tracks can be found at http://www.freakytrigger.co.uk/popworldcup/ - if there's any problem email me at freakytrigger@gmail.com.


Czech Republic

Fullcontact Crew - "Ciny": Confident gaffer mostlyconnect told us: "Two songs. For the past week I've listened to virtually nothing but Czech rap music, lost in beats and forbidden names, started to stop being sure that anyone even speaks Czech at all: that every verse isn't the hip-hop Cocteau Twins. It sounds like a hard language to rap in most of the time, and most of the time the sample ends up taking the lead over scratching and vocal gimmicks, chops and changes; at its best it's cerebral and totally banging at the same time. The team I was planning on naming at 1AM this morning are rock solid bruisers, smart and nasty, and they're a long way from getting dropped from the squad - I can't think of many teams left in the tournament who'd enjoy being up against them.

But then I heard this. Fullcontact Crew are from Liberec, unsigned, impossibly underground. If they're raw, if they're self-indulgent, if they flag towards the end, if it sounds an awful lot like people having fun, I'd like to ask you to chalk it down to inexperience, to a scene moving so fast there's no-one to tell them to slow down. I'm putting them in the team because I find them incredibly exciting, because those strings, that incredible snake-charmer wiggle, the verses they absolutely kill, get my arms cutting through the air every time. I'm giving them the nod because every round could be our last, and I don't want to miss the chance to show the biggest stage in pop what's so thrilling about the way we roll."

Togo

King Mensah - "Edidodo (Sven And Friends Planetarium Dub)": Hands-on coach stevem78 said: "As the shepherd once said to the goat-farmer, "you don't win anything with kids". But he never said anything about experimentation or the pooling of all resources at our disposal. At this crucial stage we lift up our hearts, our souls take flight for the heavens. We do not want to soar too close to the sun nor look too long in it's face, but from the top of the world we hear the call of destiny and so we will follow. Innit."


So how will this struggle be resolved?


It's very simple. Listen to both the tracks, and mark each of them out of 5. You can give both of them 5 if you want, or both of then zero, or whatever you like. Write your votes in the text boxes below, and that's all. Easy! If you dont want to use the poll you can PLEASE EMAIL YOUR VOTES TO FREAKYTRIGGER@GMAIL.COM - DO NOT USE THE POLL (if you already voted you don't have to email them again)

From now on, also, we won't be taking into account the managers' votes, so don't bother if you're Greg or Steve - use the comments box to scream your touchline exhortations instead.

[Poll #734406]


Deadline is NOON on FRIDAY. And check back tomorrow for the final Quarter-Final, Japan vs France!

Comments

[awesomewells.livejournal.com]

I believe the Togolese manager has been giving artificial stimulants to his players, and I'm not sure I approve.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

The pioneering sports science methods of Togo are well within the competition rules.

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

I work only within the rules and guidelines set by the PWCA. Our midfield captain himself came to me in a dream and requested the assistance of a Photek facemask after he suffered quite a blow to the face from the Ukrainian centre-half who it turns out wasn't even born there.

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

Oof these Czechs look a bit handy I must say. They seem to be starting quite strong but I wonder if they'll be looking to play a largely defensive game, grinding out a result however they can. It's squeaky bum time Maniche.

[carsmilesteve.livejournal.com]

greg, you so indie ;)

[http://users.livejournal.com/xyzzzz__/]

Looks like Togo '06 = Cameroon '90. Shame after such an exciting performance in the 2nd round.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

I really like the Togo track - especially now the sun's come out. Would sound fine drifting across the jazz/world field while the bongo technicians fiddle about between acts.

The Czechs on first listen sound like middling mitteleuropan goth-hop: if Poland had progressed no doubt they'd have resorted to these clogging tactics too. Might be enough to earn them a win, though personally I hope not.

[carsmilesteve.livejournal.com]

blimey, such out-spoken partisanship from sepp_tigger there...

Cosmic West African Deep House Massive say:

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

the Czech rap is sparse and goes on a bit too long innit.

Re: Cosmic West African Deep House Massive say:

[mostlyconnect.livejournal.com]

It is too long! But I think it's anything but sparse, really - amazingly full of tricks and runs and gimmicks? I find more every listen, honestly; it's my record of the year, quite seriously!

I like the togo track! I am praying for rain tomorrow, this may come down to CLIMATE FACTORS.

Re: Cosmic West African Deep House Massive say:

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

Fear not, I think the Czrappers wear their six minutes of fame lightly. I like the early DJ Shadow style backing track as well.

Togo start intriguingly but I got bored of the FX about half way through. I am not in general a big fan of non-reggae musics being given the dub treatment. And here, I wanted to hear at least part of the song liberated from the echo chamber.

Re: Cosmic West African Deep House Massive say:

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

fair crit. - but the fear was that the original track would be widely deemed to be of the 'go nowhere' variety considered atypical of much of the 'folkish' pop from this part of the world. so a decision was taken to take this monotonous aspect and do something with it. wth all due respect to my brave captain, playing on with the face-mask, it's not like we can really understand what he's on about anyway!

[awesomewells.livejournal.com]

I fear this is beginning to resemble the 2002 Pop World Cup. In the early stages, it was thrilling to watch the unfancied minnows run rings round their ponderous and complacent so called bigger rivals. Now I'm starting to wonder how much they've got left in the tank. I certainly don't fancy either side against a bewilderingly resilient Iranian squad. Whoever gets through the other side of the draw will take the trophy.

It's not the most compelling game of the tournament, but I think the perry-tinged nostalgia of the Togo track wins out for me.

WE AIM TO BEWILDER -- A PUNY BRANE RENDERS THE TASK SIMPLE

[dubdobdee.livejournal.com]

that said: who do we judge will topple most sweetly here? OR RATHER, WHICH IS THE STRONGER, THAT OUR INEVITABLE VICTORY BE THE NOBBLER er that's NOBLER!!

czech it out = strong small-instruments atmosphere but goes on a bit (haha IRAN CAN DO THAT TOO esp.GOTHRAPWISE believe you me!)
togo pogo = would have gone on a bit X 100 except for BLATANT TECHNO-CHEATING -- the rattle of "distant tumult" is kinda awesome