CAMOUFLEUR

A fairly highly respected album in the Post-Rock genre this was released back in 1998. A rather large cast of musicians offering up four different types of horns, two violinists and one of them playing viola. Lots of acoustic guitar, reserved male vocals, keyboards and the usual rock instruments. This one is kind of all over the place and yet you know it's the same band if you know what I mean. I can't say this grew on me at all, in fact it was almost a chore to get through it despite reading many glowing reviews across the web. Just my tastes I suppose.

"The Seasons Reverse" has an uptempo beat with acoustic guitar and laid back vocals early on. A catchy track and one of the better ones but I'm not even really into this one. Some dissonant horns after 2 1/2 minutes and an almost island vibe. It calms and slows right down before 4 1/2 minutes before ending with a funny conversation between and English adult and a French kid. Best part of the album.

"Blues Subtitled No Sense Of Wonder" has pulsing sounds as relaxed piano joins in. Vocals before a minute with experimental sounds. Laid back horns replace the vocals after 2 minutes. Suddenly it turns fuller with vocals at 3 minutes. It settles right down again before 4 1/2 minutes to the end. "Black Horse" is a song most seem to love but I don't like it early on with the violin giving it an almost Country vibe. Soon before 2 minutes picked guitar takes over that's impressive but it goes on too long ending before 4 minutes as a calm takes over to the end.

"Each Dream Is An Example" just isn't my thing with the relaxed piano and horns. Some vocals 3 minutes in and harmonies before 4 1/2 minutes. "Mouth Canyon" has relaxed picked guitar and atmosphere. Some crying guitar and vocals to match will follow. "A Puff Of Dew" is kind of dark, slow and experimental. Reserved vocals after a minute and more join in. The vocals stop after 2 minutes as it continues to be experimental and slow. Vocals are back before 4 minutes. "Bauchredner" has acoustic guitar melodies lasting for 4 1/2 minutes when drums kick in then horns a minute later. Catchy stuff.

This was the last we heard of this American band and this was their fourth studio album. Again the bottom line is that I had a hard time appreciating what I was hearing.