SOLA ANDATA

An `official' debut CD release for Italian band Qirsh, formed back in the early 90's, has been a long-time coming! Sure, there were a couple of cassette recordings to pass out among friends in the early days, but time in a proper recording studio resulted in several setbacks, brought on by flooding, burglary and plain old unsatisfactory production results! After a period of not much activity, 2009 saw the group refocus and bring a determination to complete their dream, and 2013 finally sees this promising band deliver `Sola Andata' ("One Way"). Every track is about a `journey' of sorts, be it physical travelling, moments in history, or even looking inwards and journeying in the mind. It's a truly progressive and likeable mix of some traditional symphonic styled RRI and psychedelic rock, but with very modern sounding electronic experiments and even Post Rock elements delivered with a youthful energy and focus.

There's lots of hazy psych colours throughout album opener `Artico'. Soaring electric guitars, treated phasing vocals and drifting synths create a drowsy atmosphere, with some nice whimsical acoustic guitar moments bringing a briefly playful sound. A foot-tapping up-tempo energy runs through `Mercato Ghardaia', all furious acoustic guitar jangling, relentless pulsing bass and frantic ravishing Italian vocals that RPI purists will adore. `Mayflower' will instantly remind listeners of those rollicking perky instrumental moments from the classic P.F.M albums, lovely humming Hammond organ on that one too.`Figli del Piccolo Pardre' sees the band move into the modern age, a mix of heavy driving guitars, monstrous stalking bass that never lets up and pounding drumbeats, with little breaks of ambient passages around floating keyboards, all bookended with eerie Mellotron.

Rising and falling synths groan over a repeating violin sample throughout brief electronic interlude `5a, Finestrino', while the band reveals darker flavours in the slinking electro-pop of `Rianimazione', throbbing attacking bass and vacuum-like synths howling around ranting vocals. There's more dark electronic sounds on the powerful rolling drumming and a chanting processed vocal loops of `Malaria', and `Vento Delle Isole' races back to the past for some Mellotron, acoustic guitar and accordion led acid-folk, with some gorgeous group harmonies an exquisite highlight. There's a creeping unease to album closer `La Nebbia', murmuring bass, maddening intense spitting vocals and building Post Rock-flavoured chiming electric guitars makes the piece equal parts dreamy and melancholic, it's just a shame the end fades out abruptly...before a shimmering reprise fixes that near mistake and closes the end with a swirl of disorientating synths!

All the years the band spent patiently working on their craft, experimenting and taking in all sorts of musical inspirations, both old and new, have delivered an exceptional debut. Qirsh bring just enough vintage RPI influences and weave it seamlessly with modern styles, each complimenting the other and sounding highly original. There's a bright future for this band, and `Sola Andata' is just the beginning of their journey. Highly recommended!

Four stars.