TORPOR

This Brighton respectively Nottingham based band features former DIAGONAL members Luke Foster (drums) and Alex Crispin (guitar, vocals). 'Torpor' is their second album, if you won't count a demo release from 2010 in. Well, there's not any chance to pigeonhole them stylistically, as they are embracing diverse genres with ease. Their debut 'Columns', released two years before, could not convince me in its entirety, due to a mixed bag of impressions, like green fruit somehow. Except the song 'Sinner' - this one in some way sounds in anticipation of the new recordings - still has a place in my best-of collection, ensured to keep this band in good memory.

While the cover art comes a bit shy, minimalistic, the musical content has plenty to offer. It's a sophisticated production, a fairly mystic album moreover. I mean, just take the heavy-hearted Mark Maker and especially the organ during the last two minutes - then it depends on your mood next - either it will serve some bad feeling like attending a funeral, or alternatively it appears as something wonderful melancholic. Overall there's a relaxed, captivating and even hypnotic feel to state. This will clarify some references to kraut rock, which are coming up here and there regarding this band.

Deeper Align eventually grooves though, at least for a while, an exception from the standard. The acoustic ballad Dark Down sees Joe Hollick of Wolf People fame assisting on acoustic guitar. Occasionally you will detect glimpses of Tame Impala's psych folk pop as well as Talk Talk's deep melancholy. On the other hand Stry, courtesy of Joe Hollick again, evolves into a heavy space post rock tune par excellence during the course. Provided with the mantra 'Can You See In The Dark?' Wild Cry marks the album highlight then.

It's a perfect song, the nice repetitive organ theme as well as Alex Crispin's guitar and voice are excellently matching. The drone excursion Albedo Dei finally closes a really successfull journey when crossing a rather unique BARON cosmos. While being equipped with a fair amount of psychedelic essence, including different complementing facets and enchanting melodies, this album has turned out well. The crew is on course definitely.

BARON was formed in 2010 by two DIAGONAL members, not former members as the bio here says. BARON and DIAGONAL have run parallel to each other with vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist Alex Crispin and drummer Luke Foster being a part of both all along. That DIAGONAL debut sure had a buzz around it on the site here back in 2008. The mellotron! A 5 star record in my opinion. But before they would release that second record in 2012 this duo started their own project with a different vibe for sure.

The music here has no mellotron on it but tons of atmosphere, and is a psychedelic/post rock cross in many ways. THE FUTURE KINGS OF ENGLAND might be a good reference. And while DIAGONAL continue to release albums with their most recent coming in 2021, this 2015 release by BARON might be their last. An interesting release that I'm not completely taken with but I certainly feel it's worth 4 stars. It's surprisingly mellow for the first half before they amp it up for the second half of the album.

Of the first four more laid back tunes I have to mention "Wild Cry" as a top three. Vocals, guitar and organ to start and lots of melancholy which we get throughout this recording. This song does pick up and get catchy. The rhythm section, organ and vocals standout. Then two from the second half make my top three like "Stry" the longest piece at over 8 minutes. Again organ and atmosphere before beats and guitar join in. This is trippy. Vocals and more passion after 2 1/2 minutes then it builds even more before kicking in hard after 4 minutes. This is by far the most powerful point on this record so far. Guitar is crying out after 7 minutes.

Last top three is "Deeper Align" at almost 7 minutes. By the way the previous track "Sleepless" is the heaviest tune here. This track though just hit me right away with how much I liked it. Bass heavy with drums before vocals join in, and it's catchy. The guitar will be the focus when the vocals step aside the first time. Spacey too, then heavy again after 4 minutes with a post rock vibe to the end. The closer is very much a psychedelic/post rock combination. Sounds come in waves here. Sort of like "Dark Town" from earlier that has such a drifting sound to it.

Gotta go 4 stars with this one despite not being completely taken with it. That DIAGONAL debut though is an absolute stunner.