Fred Astaire (album)

Fred Astaire is the third studio album by Croatian alternative rock band Pips, Chips & Videoclips. Recorded in the spring of 1997 and released in October that year, it marked the band’s commercial breakthrough and is often regarded in retrospective writing as one of the defining Croatian rock releases of the late 1990s.^[1]

The album combines melodic, guitar-driven alternative rock with introspective and ironic lyrics, and includes the song “Plači”, recorded in collaboration with Darko Rundek.^[1] At the Porin Awards, Fred Astaire won Album of the Year, while “Plači” received the award for Best Vocal Collaboration.^[2]

Recording sessions for Fred Astaire took place between May and June 1997 in a private house in the Ičići area on the slopes of Učka, as well as at Studio Crno Bijeli Svijet in Zagreb. The album was produced and recorded by Denyken.^{[3] [4]}

Mixing was completed in June–July 1997 at Studio Tivoli in Ljubljana, while mastering was handled by Alessandro Cutolo at Studio Elettroformatti in Milan. Additional production work also took place at Studio Crno Bijeli Svijet in Zagreb.^[4]

Musically, Fred Astaire is rooted in alternative rock, characterised by melodic guitar-driven arrangements and a balance between energetic and introspective material. Compared to the band’s earlier releases, the album features more structured compositions and refined production.^[1]

Lyrically, the album explores urban themes, irony and personal reflection, often combining everyday experiences with broader social observation.^[1]

The song “Nogomet”, released as a single in 1997, is frequently perceived by audiences as a football-related anthem; however, songwriter Dubravko Ivaniš has stated that it was conceived as social satire rather than a tribute to the sport.^[5] According to Ivaniš, the lyrics reflect irony toward a social climate in which football served as a distraction from broader economic and social issues, as well as commentary on the privileged social status of footballers and the cultural expectations surrounding sporting success and financial security.^[5]

Another notable aspect of the album is the song “Plači”, recorded in collaboration with Darko Rundek. The collaboration is often cited among the album’s artistic highlights and was recognised with a Porin award for Best Vocal Collaboration.^[2]

Fred Astaire was released in October 1997 on cassette and CD by Jabukaton Records.^[3]

In 2021, the album was reissued for the first time on double vinyl by LAA.^[6] Following the reissue, the album re-entered Croatia’s domestic sales chart in October 2021, 24 years after its original release.^[7]

The CD edition and the 2021 vinyl reissue include the additional track “Sex u školi (Remix by Eddy & Dus)”, which is absent from the original cassette release.^[4]

Several songs from the album were released as singles and promoted with music videos, including “Supermama” (1997), “Nogomet” (1997), “Sex u školi” (1997), “Plači” (1998) and “Na putu prema dole” (1998).^[3] The videos received regular airplay on Croatian music television in the late 1990s and contributed to the band’s growing mainstream visibility.

Upon its release, Fred Astaire received strong critical attention in Croatia, with reviewers highlighting the album’s confident songwriting, stylistic cohesion and a clearer production compared to the band’s earlier work.^[1][6] Contemporary and later reviews often pointed out the balance between rock-oriented arrangements and pop sensibility, as well as Dubravko Ivaniš’s increasingly distinctive lyrical voice, marked by irony, urban themes and emotional directness.^[1][6]

In retrospective assessments, the album has frequently been described as a key moment in the band’s career, helping to establish Pips, Chips & Videoclips as one of the prominent acts of the Croatian alternative and mainstream crossover scene of the late 1990s.^[6] Several critics have noted that Fred Astaire laid the groundwork for the band’s later commercial and artistic peak, while retaining an approach that resisted straightforward genre categorisation.^[1]

Following its release, Fred Astaire received significant recognition at major Croatian music awards, reflecting both its critical reception and broader cultural impact. The album and its associated singles were recognised by the Porin Awards and the Crni mačak awards during 1998.^[2][1]

Track listing, durations and songwriting credits are taken from the inner sleeve of the 1997 CD edition.^[4]

Note: The bonus track “Sex u školi (Remix by Eddy & Dus)” is not included on the original cassette edition.^[4]

Credits adapted from the album liner notes.^[4]

Pips, Chips & Videoclips

• Dubravko Ivaniš (Ripper) – vocals
• Alen Kraljić – guitar
• Tristan Karas – guitar
• Mario Borščak – bass guitar
• Igor Paradiš (Šparka) – drums

Additional personnel

• Darko Rundek – guest vocals
• Eddy & Dus – remix (“Sex u školi”)
• Jadranka – backing vocals
• Tina – backing vocals
• Nina Violić – vocals
• Larisa – vocals (“To je vuk”, “Halo policija”)
• Korana, Tea, Vesna – backing vocals
• Andrej Jakuš – trumpet
• Vedran Križan – keyboards
• Mlacka – percussion, didgeridoo
• Klinci s Ribnjaka – children’s choir
• String quartet:
  • Doris Cavaliere – first violin
  • Miljenko Puljić – second violin
  • Vitold Košir – viola
  • Jadranka Čučković – cello
• Male choir – Denis, Uglješa, Jura, Krešo, Alan, Roberto
• Female choir – Ani, Katarina, Gabi, Anita, Vesna

Production and artwork

• Produced and recorded by Denyken
• Mixing and the “Sex u školi” remix – Aco Razbornik
• Mastering – Alessandro Cutolo (Studio Elettroformatti, Milan)
• Additional production – Studio Crno Bijeli Svijet (Zagreb)
• Photography – Nino Šolić
• Design – Bruketa & Žinić^[4]

• Fred Astaire – official band album page and lyrics (in Croatian)
• Fred Astaire at Discogs (list of releases)