A

Is it brilliant or does it simply express mental laziness? This TURZI debut holds 13 songs, all titles begin with an 'A'. Just listen before you try to come to a decision! First of all - according to the musical output it would be unfair to call them lazy. Consequently ambitious they have their second album 'B' out in the meanwhile (2009). When considering the amount of corresponding alphabet letters we have to expect a bunch of albums until arriving the final 'Z' ... in 40 years or so. Now you know - TURZI obviously differ, have an unique corporate identity at least.

The band name derives from mastermind Romain Turzi (guitar), who started as a solo performer with the approach to work out some sort of avantgarde output. After one self-produced album he decided to form a real band and in the meanwhile they are an insider's tip when it comes to experimental music. And so much the more this counts for their live performances. TURZI are standing for an odd symbiosis of psychedelic/space, synthy-pop and electronically coloured krautrock which is quite exceptional I would say.

On 'A' TURZI open an unique mixed bag of Kraftwerk adapted robotic electronics, vocoder modified and whispering voices, spacey echoed guitars, diversified keyboards and hypnotic rhythms which is impressing. Can't pick up a special track here really - this is an album which surely should be checked in its entirety. As for the context they bring up typical French themes concerning religion (Jesus and Allah - coupled with a pun referring to the politically controversial actor Alain Delon) as well as war themes with the song Afghanistan which is a rather catchy exemplar.

Well ... trying to define some boundaries for a summary ... for example if you like Can and the early Pink Floyd in the same way and imagine to hear them performing as a unity - check this! I would even count 'A' among the rare neo-krautrock albums you are able to find nowadays - which means not simply rehashing the 1960/70's, but so much the more picking up the spirit in order to work out something new in some way. Highly recommended - 4.5 stars!