Laufer (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Defunct | 1996 (brief reunion after 2003) |
| Headquarters | Rijeka , Croatia |
| Products | Music albums, including Pustinje, The Best Off..., Epitaf |
Laufer was a rock ensemble originating from Rijeka, Croatia, active from 1986 until 1996, with a brief reunion occurring after 2003.
In 1994, the band launched two albums: The Best Off... via the smaller label Corona, and Pustinje ("Deserts") released by Croatia Records. Later, in 2004, Corona issued the compilation album Epitaf ("Epitaph"), while The Best Off... saw a reissue in 2010 through Dallas Records.
Pustinje
Pustinje, which is Laufer's sophomore studio album, came out in 1994 under the Croatia Records label. Recording took place on the Croatian island of Krk, with mixing conducted at "RSL Luca" studios in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, and final mastering completed at "Metro" studios located in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The album was met with favorable reception from both fans and critics alike.
The lineup featuring Damir Urban on vocals, Vlado Simčić playing electric guitar, Ljubo Silić on bass, and Alen Tibljaš handling drums recorded the album efficiently during September 1994. Most songs were captured during initial takes, with only minor adjustments made during a summer break amidst touring. The lyrics explore everyday issues such as adolescence challenges, insomnia, neurosis, post-traumatic stress among former acquaintances, spiritual quests amid urban decay, financial hardships, and complicated interpersonal relations—expressed through a natural and energetic musical style. Despite the often bleak subject matter, the album maintains an underlying hopeful tone and is structured as a single continuous piece segmented into various sections.
In 1995, Pustinje was honored with the Porin award for best alternative rock album of that year.
Track listing
- "Falš" (0:24)
- "Hej tata" (2:25)
- "Vampir" (4:08)
- "Govorim u snu" (4:24)
- "Viđđđeno" (4:20)
- "Matematička" (3:22)
- "Mišolovka" (3:51)
- "Umorni kompas" (6:07)
- "Balerina" (3:55)
- "Mjesečev rog" (7:20)
- "Pustinje" (5:53)
Personnel
- Damir Urban – lead vocals
- Vlado Simčić – electric guitar
- Ljubo Silić – bass guitar
- Vedran Križan – keyboards
- Alen Tibljaš – drums
- Edi Kraljić – backing vocals