AUXFORD

I write mostly for the bands now, largely little-known ones, when I can hear them smiling for love of playing. Auxford is just such a band. I'm guessing they play mostly for the pure joy of doing so. "We play what we like and how we like." Yes indeed. "Reflections" is the debut collection from this band named after the famous University but with a twist on the spelling. Convening in 2007 the current line-up includes Vladislav Semenov (vox/keys), Alexander Golensky (g), Yuriy Venchagov (b), and Andrey Burtsev (d). While I don't know much about the Russian music scene I've been well aware of the enthusiasm they share ever since watching the RHCP gig in Red Square in '99. I've never seen a crowd that pumped except perhaps for Rio crowds.

Auxford plays a mostly instrumental rock here with a few lyrical passages, some in English and most in Russian. I love listening to the band sing in their native tongue, as always, rather than changing to English. The vibe is similar to Italian bands Proteo and AIIR, influenced somewhat by Floyd and Genesis in this case, with a spacy jam-rock driven by guitar and fleshed out nicely with keys. What I love here is the tactile lushness of the guitar, in some ways it channels Gilmour's bluesier side but it isn't as dry as Dave, nor as reserved. Golensky's leads are juicy with lots of heart and color. He can serve up nice laid back leads and double over some cool, modern sounding rhythm guitar parts. They are effortless and agile whether the passage is soothing or aggressive.

These work well against Semenov's keyboard sound which would fit right in on "Duke" or other mid period releases. Simple melodies and moods that are so enjoyable and I love the space they give a simple line-there is no urgency to flail and go nuts. There are simple keyboard parts to compliment vocals as well as pillowy backgrounds for ambiance. The whole band delivers an emotional instrumental rock that is tasteful yet still has heart. A lot of heart and movement. While they will probably make a better album one day and a better produced one, "Reflections" is a very good beginning I feel grateful to have stumbled across. Cheers guys, from America's heartland.