IN A BAR, UNDER THE SEA

dEUS is Belgium's most acclaimed indie band. 'Indie' meaning something entirely different here then the smooth pop of Muse or Oasis. dEUS is a very adventures band that incorporates simply anything that will work in a song, sometimes that is indie avant-garde, punk, jazzy synths, scruffy Captain Beefheart vocals or experimental noise rock, at other times it's simply blues or a ballad à la Tom Waits.

Even with all diversity this is one of dEUS most consistent efforts with too many songs and too many highlights for an in-depth song by song review, but let me at least mention the crazy avant rock of Fell of The Floor Man, one of their best songs, also the cinematic Theme from Turnpike is a little masterpiece, with very prominent Tom Waits "kettle-music" influences. Also the more mainstream tracks like Little Arithmetics and For the Roses are songwriting marvels. And if you dig a bit of soothing lounge jazz then Nine Threads should do the trick. It's only a short selection out of a 15 song adventure.

In a Bar Under the Sea is the ultimate dEUS album, it's wild, adventurous, willful, and rough, but at the same time it's catchy and fun. For melodic Prog fans this will be a most challenging listen, but if you dig the wilder side of Prog as evident in kraut rock, eclectic prog or avant, you might end up with a surprise.