BRAN COUCOU

The collaboration of these two young bands from France seems like a match made somewhere. The four piece NI, and the three piece POIL play a similar brand of music as it is. But they all seem to be brats as well, and I can only imagine the goings on when these seven individuals got together. So, two bass players, two drummers, two guitarists, along with NI's keyboardist who is also the main vocalist.

This is the only release that this band has put out, and it was 2018. Close to 68 minutes of music over seven tracks. It comes in a colourful package that is surely to bring a smile to your face. Now for me to pick my three favourite albums involving these two bands I'd have to go with the debut of POIL UEDA as my favourite, then this one called "Bran Coucou", and lastly "Brossaklit" from NI. So yes this was a hit for me this past week. Loved the heaviness and complexity of this one, but also that they do mix it up with some space and jamming. Some nice contrasts for sure. And the bass work of both players are my favourite sounds.

The title track opens the album, and we get some spacey atmosphere to start, and this one will take it's time to warm up. That happens at 3 minutes where they are more than warm. Pedal to the metal with plenty of intensity. Relief after 4 minutes and we get vocals to follow. Multi-vocals at 7 minutes which sound cool. I find the final few minutes to be interesting to say the least. Check out the bass before a minute on the next tune "Pogne", so good! That tone! This will level out as it opened with fast paced outbursts. Some vocals after 4 1/2 minutes but honestly these last 3 minutes disappoint.

"Mimolle" opens with two bass players countering each other as drums and guitars kick in. A Post Rock vibe here, and also on a couple of later tracks which is surprising. I do like the intricate complexity that brings KC's "Discipline" to mind even if this is different. I'm not totally sold on the longest piece called "Sho Shin" but it's over 14 1/2 minutes long which is in itself impressive. They get pretty "out there" at times on this one. Vocals too of different styles. The final few minutes on this one are impressive. The second longest track is the closer at 12 minutes. It's almost sounding like blast beats once it starts to kick in half way through. A tough listen, this second half of the song.

Some Post Rock guitar on "Francois 1er" and again some great contrasts of sound here. This one is over 9 minutes and it's not until 4 minutes in that they hit that red button. My favourite track might be "Kerberos" at 6 minutes. In fact the two shortest tracks are my favourites including "Mimolle". Great start to this one and some interesting spacey sounds. Some breakouts with off-kilter guitar. It all stops 2 1/2 minutes in as we hear laugher. Does anyone remember laughter? Then bang! Here we go! Just an awesome song from start to finish.

It's hard not to be really impressed with what these two bands came up with here. I am not surprised in the least, in fact my expectations may have been too high, but man easily 4 stars for this bird.