THE SHEEP THAT EATS THE WOLF

Fistfights With Wolves is a band from the US that was unknown to me until a month ago, when I say their name headlining a zeuhl festival in Mexico which is taking place in August 17, so I really got curious and wanted to explore at least their most recent release.

And now I am here, writing a bit about it because I had a great experience while listening to it, and my enthusiasm for their live performance (which I am sure will be great) increased. What they offer here in "The Sheep That Eats The Wolf" is a 28-minute album divided in 16 tracks, but there is actually one mini-epic divided in 12 parts, which would be the body of the album. The line-up brings 8 musicians including a violin player and two female vocalists who are crucial for the music's charm, all led by composer and keyboard player Matthew Rakers.

It starts with "Skeletons" which is the longest track (if we don't count the 12-part suite, of course) and I think their best cover letter. There is an evident mixture of influences that help them produce their sound, because we can find a jazzy piano, zeuhl-esque vocals, RIO / avant-garde strings, and though the sound is gentle and not that explosive, the names of bands such Magma, Art Bears or thay great collaboration entitled Kew Rhone clearly came to my mind. I am sorry if I recall the importance of both female voices (Anastasya Korol and Latifah Smith), but their work is great, mesmerizing in moments, delicate in others, but the tones and colors they reach and share are wonderful. The last part of this track is great, where violin and guitar make a dialogue while vocals, drums, bass and piano create the background.

"The Sheep That Eats The Wolf" has a sweet beginning where all play at unison, then vocals join and the intensity increases little by little. The reference of the bands I mentioned above return here, but in this track there are more explosive moments that remind me of that zeuhl's craziness. Piano never ceases to create a diversity of textures, which is also crucial for this band's essence. I think it is easy to get enchantes by the vocal game, I bet there will be moments you would like to sing with them. What I like about them is that the music is so easy to dig in spite of being clearly influenced by zeuhl and RIO acts.

Now the mini-epic "Religious Music for Pastafarians" whose 12 parts (or Noodles) make a total time of only 8 minutes. As you can imagine, it is a diyzzying journey with constant mini changes that sum-up what this band's sound is about. The introduction is strong here, and it is actually the only Noodle that lasts over a minute, all the others are short and one quiiiiite short (12 seconds haha). Though the music itself could work as a hook, I think the vocal game is, once again, what boosts the success of FFWW's sound. There are no lyrics in this exercise, which is not bad at all; the understanding between the members is also evident, an applause to that; but when the Noodles change, there are actual stops to the sound, moments of silence that in moments lack of cohesion, to my ears. I am not sure if these brief parts were improvised and then got together, but what I am sure is they had fun while recording them. My favorite was Noodle 9.

"Rondo" sounds like the natural succesor of the mini-epic, with the difference that here there are no stops so it is easier to get involved and addicted to it. The keyboard notes are also hypnotizing; and just before reaching the second minute, an interesting change arrives, with lyrics included and a colorful jazz/rock textures. The album finishes with "Five" which has a kind of cabaret feeling on it. The sound is gentle and easy to dig, however, the musicianship is also evident, which is a nice combo.

I am happy with this release and happier because I will see them on stage, I am very curious about it. This is a very nice album, I love the clarity of their influences and how they are trying to create an own sound; regarding the mini- epic, I have bitter-sweet emotions, but in the end I am satisfied with this new discovery for my musical library.

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