What know-it-alls!
Anyway, it doesn't matter which subject they choose, Evelyn Blumenau and Novi Sad know how to be brilliant. Always, the ones with hands in the air, always the ones crying ‚Me, me!' and always the ones to receive "highest merits".
They've made their mark in the following disciplines Indie, Crossover, folk-rock, world-music with marks averaging "highest merits" again. Pushy!
This time, they have added "country" to the list. Being over-zealous, they have recorded their final project "Europe's other side" for the most part live. This time, the dominating stylistic element is the accordion.
Concerning their themes Novi Sad are looking towards the future. They dedicate their title song to our eastern neighbours: "... but it's Europe that we like!"
Beyond that, the songs are about love, addiction and other intoxicating fantasies. Even after 15 years Novi Sad know how to surprise and to arouse curiosity for what's to come.
"Very well done, thank you and take a seat!"
L a M a , A u g u s t i n (Nov. 2/03)
For approximately 15 years, the Austrian band NOVI SAD has been one of the best kept secrets amongst the better known musical groups performing quality pop-music. The band members and the lead-singer and former actress Evelyn Blumenau fascinate the audience with their ability to create sounds vascillating between rock and folk-music. Yesterday, they presented their new CD in one of Vienna's hot spots, Carina, a tour through Austria will follow.
The songs of Novi Sad are occidental in style with an emphasis on Balkan folk-music. "Europe's other side" - is not only the title of the new CD, but a political statement too. A declaration of solidarity with the poorest countries of Europe. - NOVI SAD have developed through the years, exchanging a speedy tempo for a very melodic sound ...
... One of the best kept secrets in high-quality pop-music ...
O R F Z I B 1 (Austrian Broadcasting Organization/News)-(17.11.2003)
Go East, or open your heart to the world, even if your life feels hopeless. Take it with a sense of humour: "Help Michael Douglas, but help me too!" This could be the motto of the new CD "Europe's Other Side", released by this Viennese Band, their sixth album, which was recorded unplugged, for the most part, and presents - nevertheless - a wide musical range: Country, pop and even punk reminiscences can be heard on it. The accordion which is pictured on the cover is a dominant musical feature, sometimes playing the main role and sometimes accompanying the songs in a most pleasing way. Novi Sad manages to tackle well-known musical styles e.g. the Open-Up-chorus at the beginning of the song "Time" and make them their own. The expressive voice of Evelyn Blumenau makes the CD complete. Her voice carries a lyrical softness but can change itself into a voice of challenge. Novi Sad builds bridges between east and west, between the well-known and the unknown, between art and commerce: Great!
M a n f r e d H o l a w e , S K U G (57/03)
One of the cooler Austrian Bands are finally performing again. Evelyn Blumenau and her guys present their easy going CD "Europe's other side" - Go and listen to it - a must!
K u r i e r F r e i z e i t (Heft Nr. 729, November 2003)
Country & Eastern
That's how "Novi Sad" characterize their musical style in an original and accurate manner. This style runs throughout the actual CD from the beginning to the end, presenting itself in various ways. With "Europe' s other Side" the Austrian band and lead singer Evelyn Blumenau invites the listeners to an acoustic journey through many parts of the world and, above all, through Eastern Europe. During this journey they meet Klezmer tradition as well as Bulgarian folk-music or swamp-music coming from the marshy grounds of Louisiana. They tell touching stories, from Sarajewo to South America. Featured at the center of these twelve lyrical songs which were recorded for the most part acoustically are the accordion and the ethereal voice of Evelyn Blumenau. Her voice lends a great amount of soul and charm to this globetrotting between folk and world-music.
B r i g i t t e - Ö s t e r r e i c h (01/2004)
"During their 15 year long career, Novi Sad, have succeeded in distancing themselves from Austro-Pop as well as Robbie Williams has distanced himself from living in a terraced house in Schwechat," say the members of Novi Sad upon the release of their sixth album "Europe's Other Side". That's true, indeed, but at the same time a bigger public appreciation has been denied Novi Sad's attractive mixture of folk, indie-pop, Chanson und world-music. What a pity, really.
F a l t e r (46/03)
Opening the doors to Eastern Europe has always been a theme of this Viennese band. With their new album they build even stronger sound bridges. With the help of the accordion, the sax und the very fine chorus, the Dow Jones Index Brothers Choir.
W a l t e r T i t z , K l e i n e Z e i t u n g (21.12.2003)
On Novi Sad's 6th CD, this quartet, including singer Evelyn Blumenau, shows an almost exclusive acoustic side to itself. And once again, it's hard for me to classify the music of "Europe's Other Side". Added to the stylistic mixture of indie-pop, folk-rock and new world-music are Eastern European influences, especially regarding the Balkan area.
This highly original musical-cocktail is imprinted by the soft and sensitive voice of Evelyn Blumenau again, even though her main competitor is in the shape of an accordion. Concerning the lyrics, the title track is especially interesting, because the band members not only declare themselves as sympathizers of Eastern Europe, but also as sympathizers for a united Europe.
The lyrics are profound, touching and inspire one to reflect. The music is not banal and superficial enough for mainstream taste. That's also a reason why Novi Sad has been ignored until today. Maybe this will change with the help of "Europe's other side".
R o l a n d D u s c h l b a u e r , S p e l l b o u n d
New and sad - in a way Novi Sad
The name NOVI SAD is really accurate, it is the name of that Austrian band which has enriched the music scene for many years. Their music simply cannot be classified and put into drawers!
The latest CD by Novi Sad and their charismatic singer Evelyn Blumenau is a classical product. The band presents a wonderful album, recorded unplugged for the most part, nine of eleven songs are purely acoustic with a ‚rediscovered' accordion featured at the center. The band is reflective, their critical thoughts concerning globalisation flow together into their songs. Novi Sad is a constructive and at the sime time critical band, the result being that no distributor in Austria, a country contaminated by Starmania, is willing to take them on.
"We cannot understand it. The CD is very homogeneous concerning the instrumental arrangement, the songs are easy to grasp, it is a well-rounded album, complete within itself. And what is the result? We cannot find a distributor. And it isn't even worth mentioning the amount of airplay we are receiving! Anyway, these circumstances give us the feeling of being held back a little bit," Evelyn Blumenau talking, also representing the other band members, they are guitar player Paris 1914, Manfred Scharf playing the accordion and the drums, and bass-player Robert Worel. "What can you do? We remain good humoured and keep on trying. Maybe, we'll find a small, but fine distribution which is ready to publish the CD in its programm," she adds optimistically.
Because Novi Sad will not perform before late summer, the new CD "europe's.other.side" is warmly recommended to all of you. The sound is simply good and fresh, coming from domestic fields and simply worth hearing.
A l f r e d K r o n d r a f , C o n c e r t o (01/2004)
The Viennese band Novi Sad, has taken on the theme of Europe with an easy comfortable atmospheric style. In the center are M. Scharf with his accordion and singer Evelyn Blumenau, lending her beautifully accented voice.
It is simply scandalous that Novi Sad with this wonderfully acoustic album has been rejected by various labels, even though they have been given the highest and best critiques by such big Austrian media notables as ORF and Kurier.
The songs are melodic and the groove is as light as a feather and at the same time fantastically unconventional. This is songwriting at its best: exquisite texts, not normally expected from Austria in the region of pop music.
The title song is a real hit and has radio air-play quality. Sensational are: "Paradise", "Time", "Big Big World". Intelligent heartfelt music with a long term shelf-life.
m h , j a z z z e i t (Ausgabe 46/Mai 2004)