FALAISE, SAMWORTH, TANGUAY, VAN DER SCHYFF: THE UNEXPECTED ONE

Another collab between two Ambiance Magnétique pillars, Bernard Falaise (guitar and electronics) and Pierre Tanguay (drums), The Unexpected One is unfortunately all too expected or predictable. Billed as Vancouver meets Montreal, Samworth and VanderSchijf are the home team (album recorded in Vancouver), with the former on guitar (and electronics) and the latter on drums; but the album was "commercialized via the AM label), which means that the home advantage is annulled. Don't even look into Miriodor's music to see how Falaise 's music might still have a bridge between the two realms. With such equivalent armed forces, it is rather evident a draw will occur and most likely a goalless one for the average listener. Btw, despite allowing fights, there are no guns in this gentlemen's bout, despite the fact that you may just hear what sounds like muffled gunshots. If I speak of gentleman, it is because they invited Josiane Hétu (another AM pillar) for added production and help on the weird all- cardboard sleeve. . The result is a cross between dissonant and atonal improvised music and "musique concrete", which means that if you're familiar with the Montreal label, this is a typical AM album. One warned progheads is better than two un-warned. Despite having two drummers, there is not a hint of usable rhythm pattern anywhere on the disc, except for one track. Despite having two guitars, there is not even a hint of usable melody anywhere in this album either, except for one track. You're just left with free-form music that is relatively hard to follow all the way to the end of the album, despite its reasonable length. The general ambiance on Unexpected one is almost the same than on Les Poules, except for one track. Just in case you're wondering? I listened a second time to the almost-18mins Pink Crimson track (for obvious reasons, right?? ;-))), and it bears some King Floyd, traits maybe to the Providence Saucerful Of Secret., and some slightly Frippian guitars. Easily the album's best track Cased closed!!!

Soooooo, you're wondering who won, right??? The Cannucks or the Canadiens??? Hockey is an unfair game sometimes, no winners, only draws and one loser?. The listener. Don't say I didn't warn you!