ONÍRICO

KANT FREUD KAFKA is the project of drummer/ composer Javi Herrera. He's from Spain and plays a Symphonic style of music although the Classical elements are very strong here too. In fact I'm not really into Classical music so part way through I'm thinking "I didn't do my homework again" but this time I'm glad I didn't. Even from the first spin there was this beauty and sophistication about the music that drew me in. Many spins later I really appreciate the high brow sounds including Javi's vocals and his daughter's vocals as well, and her name is Alia Herrera. They both must be vocally trained, really classy stuff. "Onarico" is Javi's second studio album, I haven't heard the debut.

I probably will always associate this album with driving to my daughter's this past Christmas morning after a heavy snowfall followed right after with my drive in sunny but very windy conditions with a lot of blowing snow and lots of snow period. Driving in these surreal conditions with "Onarico" as my soundtrack was very cool. So besides Ravi we get a lot of guests including his daughter of course. Lots of strings plus oboe, mandolin, bouzouki, dulcimer, double bass, bass and more.

"Insomnio De Una Noche De Verano" opens with piano and drum rolls as this dramatic theme continues on and on until the electric guitar rises out of this drama just before a minute. A calm with what sounds like mellotron as the piano returns. Beautiful sounds. Pulsating synths, bass, drums and more then the piano takes over again. The drum rolls are back! Is that bouzouki 3 minutes in? Sparse piano and atmosphere before 4 minutes then double bass takes over. Energy before 5 minutes as we get a beat and more. Check out the guitar before 6 minutes. Nice. Piano, bass and drums continue here then they lead 7 minutes in. A calm follows with piano and strings. Synths only after 8 minutes then the piano returns.

"Dulces Suenos" opens with piano only as strings join in then oboe. Beautiful female vocals with piano a minute in. Cello follows as the vocals step aside. Male vocals after 2 minutes with piano and strings. Female vocals are back before 3 1/2 minutes then male vocals before 4 minutes as they continue to take turns.

"Os Quan Dormo Que Hi Veig Clar" is the longest track at almost 11 minutes. Ominous atmosphere as what sounds like church organ joins in along with male and female vocals. Some synths too. Female vocal melodies 1 1/2 minutes in as male vocals continue in this dramatic section. Piano follows as the vocals step aside. Somewhat light but distorted riffs arrive eventually fading out. They seem out of place. Drums and more join in. Male vocals too in this section. A change before 5 1/2 minutes as the guitar starts to solo as the drums pound. Synths replace the guitar just before 6 minutes. Piano and female vocal melodies after 7 minutes as the male vocals also join in. It turns quite heavy after 8 minutes as the vocals stop. Strings too. More electric guitar before 9 1/2 minutes and organ, drums and male vocals end it. Nice upfront bass here too. Piano only ends it actually.

"Vida Y Muerte" opens with piano melodies as strings also join in. Some atmosphere here too adding depth. Nice bass lines before 1 1/2 minutes signalling a change as the tempo picks up with drums and more. So good! Oboe around 2 minutes. The heavy stuttering drums in atmosphere bring PORCUPINE TREE to mind. Cool section then the piano tinkles away in that atmosphere. Oboe is back with piano and strings before 4 minutes. Piano only then male vocals 4 1/2 minutes in. Strings only after 5 minutes. It turns dramatic before 6 1/2 minutes. I like the piano and bass as male and female vocals join in. Great section then a big finish.

"A Nightmare On major St." opens with percussion as drums join in. Cool stuff as piano and strings come and go. Soon it's percussion and piano only after a minute then the male vocals join in sounding like one of the singers for TEARS FOR FEARS. Female vocals too then organ before 3 1/2 minutes then oboe as male vocals continue. A dramatic guitar solo takes over before 6 minutes with bass, drums and more. Insanity after 7 minutes then percussion ends it as it blends into the final song.

"Awakenings" continues with the percussion as male vocal melodies join in then piano. Strings before a minute then oboe as the vocals become more passionate. Mandolin only before 2 minutes then drums and guitar take over. Nice. Female vocals around 4 1/2 minutes followed by piano and bass then the drums and electric guitar return. Oboe comes and goes. More aggressive guitar after 7 minutes then percussion and strummed Spanish guitar. Synths before 8 1/2 minutes.

Just too much to like here plus this is a nice change to listen to for yours truly. Classy is the word but they let their hair down quite often. A solid 4 stars.