 Tanakh
"Villa Claustrophobia" CD
Alien8
Recordings
Genres: ethnic fusion, folk, soundscapes
Alien8 Recordings
P.O. Box 666, Station R
Montreal, Quebec
Canada
H2S 3L1
Sep 3 - 8 2002 |
Wow,
this is a tricky one to put a tag on. I suppose "ethnic
fusion" would work but it really doesn't do the recording any
true justice. This problem may stem from the fact that Villa is
actually comprised of a whole number of styles and influences; some
parts ("Tallis", "Voice Against Memory") are
abstract soundscapes, while others ("Stereognosis",
"Gently Johnny") are spacey folk tunes. However, the middle
eastern influences run through the entire album, with instruments like
Theremins, harmoniums, and flugelhorns being used to weave intricate,
beautiful sound tapestries. While some parts tend towards more ambient
material, it is obvious that the band, made up of members of Dirty
Three, Palace, and Cracker, among others, has no
problem dealing with pop-oriented melodies. As such, the few folky
tunes on the album are completely brilliant, bringing to mind
comparisons to recent Chris Cacavas and the darker side of Chris
Isaak.
While the instrumental and lyrical contributions are both extremely
inspired on Villa, the album also represents an excellent
outlet for band member Nirmak Bajekal's extraordinary voice; in
songs like "In Every Villa..." and
"...Claustrophobia...," she can be heard accompanying the
intrumentation with celestial, non-lyrical vocals. These pieces, while
primarily abstract, are not completely devoid of melody, and sound
almost like how Godspeed You Black Emperor! could have turned
out if they had grown up listening to a steady diet of Ravi Shenkar.
If you've gotten the just of what to expect from Villa
Claustrophobia, and you're somewhat intrigued by it, then go out
and hunt it down. If you're still busy muttering to yourself,
"oh, it's world music," then, well, maybe you should muster
up some worldliness so you can appreciate the beauty contained on this
wonderful disc. Tanakh, what's in store for us next?
90%
Matt Shimmer [Vitals:
52 min 54 sec; 11 tracks; distributed by Forced
Exposure;
released 2002] |
