NICHELODEON "BATH SALTS" + INSONAR "L'ENFANT ET LE MÉNURE"

"L'Enfant et le Ménure"/"Bath Salts" is a 4 disc split release by Italian avant garde acts NichelOdeon and InSonar. Both double albums have also been released individually. Both the individual double albums and the 4 disc split release were released in June 2013. Mainman behind both projects is singer/composer Claudio Milano. Both releases feature loads of guest performances from both internationally known and more unknown musicians. "L'Enfant et le Ménure" by InSonar (where Claudio Milano has teamed up with electronic music artist Marco Tuppo), features guest appearances by artists like Trey Gunn & Pat Mastellotto (King Crimson), Walter Calloni (P.F.M.), Nik Turner (Hawkwind), Paolo Tofani (Area) and Dana Colley (Morphine).

Both projects are centered around the expressive/theatrical/experimental vocals by Claudio Milano. While the "Bath Salts" album by NichelOdeon is more warm, theatrical and organic, "L'Enfant et le Ménure" by InSonar is slightly more experimental, electronic (not overtly) and ambient in nature. What characterize both projects are stellar musicianship, the combination of many musical styles, professional sound productions and intriguing songwriting. Most of the lyrics are in Italian, but the albums feature cover tracks by Peter Hammill (Van der Graaf Generator), Tim Buckley, David Bowie/Brian Eno and The Velvet Underground, which are sung in English.

Both double album releases are quite intriguing in their own way and while some of the vocal experiments on especially "L'Enfant et le Ménure" can be a bit hard on the ears it´s obvious that Claudio Milano is both a brilliant and very skilled vocalist with a clear vision of what he wants to deliver to his audience. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is warranted.