AMOR VENTRÍLOCUO

Argentinian composer and multi-instrumentalist from Buenos Aires, born in 1981.In early 00's he composed his first EP ''Cosas acostumbradas'', which saw the start of a long collaboration with flutist Erica Villar.A second album followed in 2005, ''Amuleto'', and the next year Ruiz participated in the Luis Alberto Spinetta tribute album '' Al Flaco... dale gracias''.In 2007 he released his third album ''Amor ventrilocuo''.Except Villar the album includes six more guest musicians on strings, trumpet, bass, guitar and voices.

In this work Ruiz tries to present his multiple influences as a composer, so ''Amor ventrilocuo'' has almost every possible source of inspiration regarding its progressive nature.The basis is a deep and emotional Post/Art Rock with dreamy instrumentals and constant lyrical parts, but the spectrum of music passes through folky soundscapes, KING CRIMSON-esque textures, Lounge Music and smooth Chamber Music.Somehow Ruiz'es approach reminds me the work of METHEXIS, though the mood is overall quite melancholic with few electric explosions, but the tracks remain deeply atmospheric in a low tempo, filled with rather hypnotic segments.The acoustic lines in a singer/songwriter style are followed by cold Post-Rock vibes with slow electric guitars, while the next moment the music flirts with Classical inspirations through the use of piano, strings and trumpets.Individually every track in here sounds decent, as a whole though the album is extemely incoherent with untight connections due to the unrelated stylistic choices.Additionally the voice of Andrés does not add anything special to the pieces, delivered in a narration style with an indifferent color and no tone variations.

''Amor ventrilocuo'' would have possibly sounded better if kept in an all instrumental mood, but even this way a more coherent mix of styles would be recommended.As it is, it will propably be a nice fit for lovers of slow-motion, atmospheric music...2.5 stars.