BLITURI

I didn't think i'd see a Chamber Rock band from Canada but then again these guys are from Quebec which is much more European influenced than the rest of us here. They are a 6 piece band out of Montreal playing a variety of instruments including bass clarinet, clarinet, aboe, alto and soprano sax, french horn, vibes, synths along with drums, guitar and bass. I must admit that Chamber music is hit and miss for me but I have thoroughly enjoyed this particular record.

"Snark" has outbursts of sound that come and go contrasted with quieter sections until we get a consistent melody of many sounds. It settles back before 2 1/2 minutes and it sounds so interesting here. A powerful base comes in late with horns playing over top. "Gambit" has a more relaxed sound with clarinet being the dominant instrument. Intricate guitar helps out here as well. "Dunning- Kruger" has a bass/ drum intro before it turns fuller. This is darker than the first two tracks. I like when the guitar comes in before 2 1/2 minutes as the bass and drums continue. Horns are back before 3 minutes and we get some nice bass throughout. "Acumen" opens with a pleasant horn led sound including some honking. Some cool atmosphere as it settles back after 2 minutes with guitar that echoes somewhat. A more powerful sound takes over and there's lots of complexity in this one. Horns blast before 4 minutes and check out the guitar in the background. Some excellent drum/ guitar/ bass parts in this one. Great track!

"Intersatz" is a short 1 1/2 minute piece where the horns build followed by a calm with guitar as this theme is repeated over and over. "Abiliene" is melancholic with horns and vibes standing out early on. Some haunting atmosphere here as well. "Hispide/ Ramsaak" has a punchy sounding section that is contrasted with sparse passages then the horns become the focus. I like the guitar before 1 1/2 minutes which is very intricate with a relaxing background. A minute later it turns powerful before an experimental calm replaces it. i like it! A change before 5 minutes as a beat with horns takes over. "Riddoch" is my favourite and the longest at 11 1/2 minutes. The spirit of UNIVERS ZERO is in this track but it doesn't actually sound like that band. From 1 1/2 minutes to the end it's pretty amazing as we get this eerie atmospheric vibe then some disturbing piano before 4 minutes. So much dark atmosphere and experimental sounds. Love this stuff.

A solid 4 stars and what a great album to start their careers.