IMPROPERA

Album number three, and the most recent from this LA duo has some interesting surprises. More on that later, but some background first. They began with "Reluctant Hosts" in 1988, followed by the excellent "Happy Wretched Family" from 1995, before they released "Impropera" in 2006. To quote the liner notes. "We had been toying with the idea of an improvised opera for a few years before actually performing what would become "Impropera". "Impropera Phase I" started with one 16 minute performance for the Earjam music festival in LA. It was loose and open, mostly improvisation around a few predetermined themes. We were pleased with the results and thought we ought to expand the concept."

When you open the first page of the liner notes it says: "Impropera, an improvised, improper, importuned, imp opera in three phases." Just under 62 minutes and 19 tracks. These two musicians are multi-instrumentalists, while Kira sings were her incredible soprano voice. I mean these two play everything imaginable. Joe is mainly a drummer, but again there's nothing he can't play. So it was a huge surprise to see he plays sampling keyboards and samples. That's it. This has such an affect on the sound here, when compared to the previous two albums.

I'll quote them again. "Instead of the current method of manipulating samples and loops in the computer using sequences and grids and prefab sounds, all the samples used are homemade with obsolete 8 and 12 bit samples, played from the keyboard the old fashion way. This results in a more immediate, performance-oriented style, as opposed to the usual cut and paste." The result for me is a more interesting overall sound. This is a piece of art in that sense. An opera yes, but what an engaging hour of music where Kira once again impresses with her voice and bass clarinet, while Joe does it his way this time.

The cover art is an actual painting and I really like it. This duo has such a sense of humour, and Kira's tends to venture into the dark side of the humour landscape. I was pleasantly surprised to see they played this past summer in LA their home town. I didn't know if they were still active until seeing that. So we get some different sounds I haven't heard on the first two albums including that dark atmosphere, and an almost industrial vibe with the fake drums done with the keys. This somehow all works, and I give them a lot of credit. Such a talented duo! What I found interesting is that the first phase is my least favourite, while the rest is incredible. Six of the final nine songs are my favourites, so this ends strongly.

Once again Kira is the draw for me with her voice, and the way she manipulates it, along with her bass clarinet. She sings in some strange ways at times. Entertaining always. There's a short "interval" track after Phase I and Phase II, and both are experimental soundscapes. Love the way they set this up to be like an opera. If you Avant fans haven't checked out NON CREDO yet, what are you waiting for? I feel this is their best, slightly ahead of "Happy Wretched Family". If "Phase I" was like the final two Phases, we are talking 5 stars. Regardless, this is a great record.