BRAN COUCOU

This 2018 debut (and so far, only) release from septet PiNioL was the result of two bands who were both working in the same area of RIO-oriented progressive rock coming together as one, namely the trio PoiL and the quartet ni. This means we get more duplication in certain areas than is normal, so while two guitarists is common, and two drummers not too out of place, it is certainly unusual (although not unheard of) for there to be two bassists in the same band. Keyboard player Antoine Arnera must find it quite lonely not having a mate to play with although he makes up for it by also providing lead vocals, and five of the other guys also provide backing vocals.

This is avant garde music, challenging, yet to my ears also strangely inviting and compelling. It is jagged, abrasive, complex yet beautiful with sharp edges. Even though there are many singers in the band they are quite content to go off on long instrumental passages as they channel Art Zoyd, Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Present and so many more into something almost indefinable. The two drummers are having a blast at the back, often matching each other stoke for stroke, providing that intensity which only comes from having two drummers (something which both Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan full understood in the heyday of ELO, which is why he always double-tracked his drums). Often staccato, with mathcore also having an influence, this is unsettling music as the band(s) refuse to accept any compromise and keep pushing boundaries while also having their own rigour around what is the correct way forward.

The result is an album which can only lead to listeners asking one question, 'when is the next one?'