MEKANO

This is MIRIODORr's fifth album but I'm not that familiar with MIRIODOR's previous releases. Miriodor is however a really interesting and unique band with a sound that is reminiscent to many other R.I.O. (Rock In Opposition) influenced bands such as HENRY COW. SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA/VON ZAMLA, UNIVERS ZERO and VOLAPÜ, progressive rock bands such as HAPPY THE MAN, KING CRIMSON and VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR, and finally jazz-fusion bands such as WEATHER REPORT. The compositions are very good, the album is really complex and there are lots of things going on in the music. I really like the R.I.O. inspired bands and MIRIODOR is no exception. One of the most valuable releases this year.

From the first second of this album, you wonder whether you are still on a Miriodor album, but past that that short hesitation, being quickly re-assured, you let yourself sink into the strange and wonderful musical world somewhere in between jazz, rock, classic, eastern European gypsy influences, in short a musical pot-pourri that can be best described as Avant-prog or even RIO, but the first solution is more fitting. They are still dishing out insanely complicated music, but this time, they shot an hilarious roll of pictures depicting an alien stealing their studio tapes and some detective tracking down the thief reducing him to midget size and trapping him in a alcohol bottle and then get drunk by the essence of the tapes.

For those not that familiar with this band , this is the first album without the participation of Sabin Hudon (although he was listed only as a guest on Jonglerie) > A real fine album from those crazy Quebecois, although nothing really new under their sun.

What an amazing band ! I consider six of their seven studio albums as being essential and this certainly is included in that. They are a four piece with guests helping out on trumpet, sax and violin. Some good variety on this one as well.

"La Celebre Boucie" is a short silly track to get us warmed up then "Le Regne Des Termites" kicks in right away but settles before a minute. We get an uplifting sound after 1 1/2 minutes then it's heavy before 2 1/2 minutes as some ripping guitar joins in. Nice. "Le Sorcier" is the MIRIODOR I know and love. Intricate, complex and humorous. Intense 1 1/2 minutes in. A calm a minute later then some silliness follows. It kicks in before 4 minutes then we get a calm late that sounds pretty cool. "Mine De Rien" features violin and a full sound early. A bit of a GENTLE GIANT vibe here. That changes as it turns darker. The violin is back as it picks up. "Mille-Pattes" is a short piece with vocal expressions then it kicks in hard. Great sound ! "Toutes Proportions Gardees" is classic MIRIODOR folks. A heavy rhythm after 2 1/2 minutes. The tempo picks up late with piano to end it. "IGA" is short with a repetitive melody. "Mangeur De Masters" has a heavy KING CRIMSON-like intro then it settles down but the contrasts continue.

"Le Roi Soldat" has a mellow acoustic intro that builds. "Pas A Ce Que Je Sacha, Sacha" kicks in around 30 seconds then we get a haunting calm a minute later. It starts to pick up halfway through until it's heavy before 4 minutes. "Singularite" has an eerie intro then drums and chunky bass join in. Violin too then it settles back before 4 minutes. "L'inevitable" is fairly light and intricate until after 2 minutes. Great sound. It kicks in more before 4 minutes. "Avatar" has outbreaks of heaviness after 3 minutes and it's dark late to end it. "Le Fantome De M.C. Escher" is my favourite. It becomes uptempo but the tempo shifts often. Spacey synths with percussion and bass lead. A spacey calm follows. It kicks in at 4 minutes. Nice. "La Polka Des Spheres" is the short concluding track with a fun rhythm.

A very good record and one that every fan of challenging and adventerous music should own.