RIO Drop-In Centre

I ordered 5 Suns after hearing praises on this site comparing it to Crimson's Red & Univers Zero, and found that while it goes stylistically in this direction, it's a lot of bluster with few compositional chops to back it up...rather tedious ostinatos that go on and on, with little to say musically. I got the feeling they're pretty young, so maybe they'll develop into something good, but the comparisons are way premature.

Black Velvet wrote: That is a very nice list . Of those these are the one I would suggest: Ahvak - s/t Deus ex Machina - Cinque Far Corner - s/t Thinking Plague - In Extremis I'm not sure what Miriodors' new album sounds like, but if it is anything like 'Jongleries Elastiques' I would be tempted to put that on the list as well! Just wondering who are Krakatoa? never heard of them. Hope this helps

OK, here is what I'm down to for my next purchase (that are RIO/Avant Garde, or still along more experimental lines):

Thanks for that... I have been looking at my local CD stores and it appears their s/t albums is the only one they stock in. So it makes the choice a little easier for the moment

In the biography they are likened to John Zorn's Naked City. How correct do you find this to be?
      

Just ficking through some of the RIO/avant-garde bands.

One band that has caught my interests was:

AKINETÓN RETARD: they have some very good high reviews, and have nothing but praise from Cesar Inca (César Inca Mendoza Loyola). From reading this they seem right down my alley.

I was wondering which album people would suggest starting with?
    

avestin wrote: What do people here know of BEGNAGRAD ? Seyo added this band from Yugoslavia and they have two releases listed here: Begnagrad 1982 Tastare (Theoldwones) 1992 (recorded in 1976) Only their s/t has reviews (one by Seyo) and he praises them. I was wondering what others think of them?

I'd get Ceux Du Dehors first, it's generally (and IMO correctly) regarded as their masterpiece. Heresie is also a good early release if you see it. Following that, Implosion, Uzed and Rhythmix in that order - oh, and to hear the reformed UZ at their best pick up a copy of Live, it's an absolute masterpiece!

For those interested in Debile Menthol it may be worth you while to check out L'Ensemble Rayé. Well at least their first two albums.

After Debile Menthol disbanded in 1985 Jean-Vincent Huguenin and Cedric Vuille decided to head off in a different direction froming the group L'Ensemble Rayé. Their deubt album Même en Hiver/Comme un Pinson Dans L'Eau consisted of two sides, with each side of the disc devoted to compositions and arrangements by one of the pair. I personaly felt this gave them the opportunity the express themselves more clearly muscially than they were able to in the more band orientated environment.

Their second Album continued in vain of the sound of the first album with their style of RIO-flavored avant-rock and European folk-jazz.

I would not call any of their music overly ground breaking, but worth effort if you are interested in the former bands.

Beyond these two albums I have little knowledge and would be interested to see if their RIO influences have carried through their career?

Zac M wrote: They are  a French (I think) RIO band, similar in style to EFL. I think their albums may only be available on vinyl, not 100% sure though. It's on the RecRec label, so you can expect good things.

They're Swiss I believe.

Both Debile Menthol albums are available on CD in the 2-CD set Emile a la Campagne (the first album is Emile au Jardin Patrologique and the second is Battre Campagne - hence the name of the twofer). I quite like the first album, kind of wacky fun a la EFL and Samla. The second album is a bit more experimental and, in my mind at least, takes it a bit too far and is less successful. Still, a nice double CD set if you like this kind of weirdness.

Hi Zac,