HAPPY WRETCHED FAMILY

NON CREDO are the dynamic duo of Kira Vollman and Joe Berardi. Both multi-instrumentalists with Joe mainly known as a drummer, while Kira sings soprano and writes the lyrics that are filled with dark humour. She mainly plays clarinet and bass clarinet, but both add keys, guitar and bass. Joe adds marimba, radio, cello and viola as well. They released their debut "Reluctant Hosts" in 1988, and "Happy Wretched Family" is album number two from 1995.

They expanded some of the instruments here when compared to the debut, but there is probably the best balance between the instrumental work and vocals on this album. Still, their third, and so far final album from 2006 is a step up from both in my opinion. Yes they are like fine wine aren't they? That final record "Impropera" is vocal heavy, but man, what a show from Kira! So impressive.

"Happy Wretched Family" was released on the Victo label out of Quebec which is cool. It's an hour long with seventeen tracks. We get one guest adding piano on three tracks. I do have a top three, but this album, while adventerous with lots of twists and turns, just seems so uniform sounding. The second half of this record is strong beginning with "Hacked" and that opening haunting soundscape that is interrupted by a man saying "What is the meaning of this intrusion?" then it turns experimental times ten, and intense. A scream around 2 1/2 minutes then bass and marimba.

My favourite on here is "Miliza Three Flights Down" which opens with these funny soprano expressions. Wait until "Impropera"! Male vocals too but man she is something before 3 minutes. Her vocals even get demented before 5 minutes. I also really like "Looking For Eddie", it's just too much fun and my final top three. I like "Entzauberung" as well for the strings, accordion and other sounds that may not be so prevalent on the rest of this album. "Snake Oil" is great for those piano and theatrical vocal outbursts. And the bass. "Pay & Clean" is haunting late but the next track "Tokyorama" is the brightest piece on here.

This album ends strongly with some haunting sections on the closer, but really from "Hacked" on this gets better. "Big Teeth" always need a mention. There will be some changes by the time we get to their third album "Impropera", their most entertaining album to date. As for "Happy Wretched Family" it's a solid 4 stars, but certainly not for everyone.