Želva
Olympic · 1968
34 min · 12 tracks · rock music
A vibrant mix of rock melodies and introspective lyrics reflecting the cultural zeitgeist of late 1960s Czechoslovakia.
Top tracks — play these first
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Želva — The title track encapsulates the album's spirit with its catchy melody and lyrical exploration of identity, establishing Olympic's unique sound early on.
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Dám zejtra zas flám — This track showcases a playful yet poignant attitude towards youth culture and rebellion, echoing the sentiments of many young Czechoslovakians at the time.
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Psychiatrický prášek — At over six minutes long, this closing track delves into deeper themes of mental health and societal pressures, highlighting Olympic's lyrical depth and musical ambition.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Želva combines engaging rock melodies with thoughtful lyrics, reflecting its cultural context while maintaining a cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a steady rock rhythm and layered guitar melodies, establishing its energetic tone.
- Several tracks incorporate shifts in tempo, with 'Dám zejtra zas flám' transitioning from upbeat sections to more reflective moments.
- The final track, 'Psychiatrický prášek', concludes the album with a slower tempo and introspective lyrics, creating a sense of closure.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic flow with varied pacing
- melodic hooks for sing-alongs
- poetic lyrics for reflective moments
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of long epics
- prefer straightforward single hits
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Želva was Olympic's debut album, released in January 1968, marking their entry into the burgeoning Czech rock scene. The band had emerged from a rich musical background, transitioning from previous projects to establish themselves as a significant force in Czech popular music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Death from Above 1979· The Bronx· Royal Blood
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Želva 3:39
- 2 Vzpomínka plíživá 2:50
- 3 Línej skaut 2:15
- 4 Dám zejtra zas flám 2:30
- 5 Modravé mámení 2:22
- 6 Nikdo neotvírá 2:10
- 7 Nebezpečná postava 1:47
- 8 Snad jsem to zavinil já 3:06
- 9 Dědečkův duch 2:22
- 10 Jen Bůh ví 3:39
- 11 Telefon 1:51
- 12 Psychiatrický prášek 6:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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