FIASKO

It's a Mixed Bag

I can get excited about some of this debut release from Polish guitarist ROMAN ODOJ- he's got a supple hand, uses a variety of effects and sounds, plays clean and distorted licks and lines, very tasteful.

There's a nice variety within and among the nine tracks, ranging from progressive-pop- for instance on the opening track, "Titan", to electronica-flavored music/psychedelia- like "Deux" and "Eurydice", to jazz inflected funkiness using sax and violins and electric piano- "One of You", "Human Cartoon"...

Yet It Loses Momentum

For me, the opening tracks are strongest. "Titan" opens with eerie keyboards, then breaks into a vibrant, catchy, rocking vibe. The instrumental breakdown with active bass line, crisp percussion (a highlight throughout the album), and slinky guitar lines, really cooks.

"One of You" starts brightly, nice use of vocals and harmonies, great production (also throughout this album), and cool guitar lines that are first reflective, then more vibrant. Sax and violin are standouts.

Then Vocalist Changes

The resonant baritone voice didn't strike me. That same vocalist (not sure who it is) is featured on several tracks - "Castaway", "Deux", and the title track- and I just don't care for it. The tracks also show less of the shimmer, energy, and jazzy joy with which the album began.

Three Instrumental Tracks

"Eurydice" is just ok. It leans into post-rock somewhat, has more electronica, and didn't do much for me. "Annunciation" opens with clean picked guitar, then that edgy, funky bass guitar ushers in a more rocking feel, and those unison guitar/bass lines really cook. There are alternating passages of that rocking feel, then a spacier vibe. "Qintam" was shaping up to be my favorite track with some cool funky bass lines over reflective held string sounds and atmospheric guitar lines. It builds into a nice heavy feel and a great synth lead break over that funky bass...but goes into an extended static/synth/space noise passage...and ends.

So, Some Pros and Some Cons

For my taste, I'd like to hear more of the funky, jazzy, rocking side of Roman and his co-conspirators. They can really smoke and it's a lot of fun.

I really didn't care for those baritone vocals, and the spacey, electronica stuff didn't move me much either.

In Conclusion

There are enough strong points to earn this one 3 stars. A promising debut.

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