NEO DADA

A hefty gas bill, some bird droppings hitting my head on my way to the shop, this album from Jono El Grande and a nice Lotto win. Life is full of surprises.

I am not going to disguise that I did not take Jono El Grande seriously before I by accident purchased this album (long story.... you don't want to know). This due to his association with a member of the Norwegian royal family which have been lambasted in the media. I therefore got a big surprise when I first listened to this album and when I did the interview with Jono El Grande. I humbly suggest that I have been wrong all the way.

Just to humiliate myself even more: There is no doubts that Jono El Grande is one of the best progressive rock associated artists from Norway at the moment.

The title of this album says everything about what it contains. Dada'istic music. In this case, a collage of cabaret music, Canterbury Scene, jazz, Zeuhl and avant-garde. When it comes to musical references, Frank Zappa springs to mind. So does Flairck, Gong, Henry Cow and Aranis too. In short; Neo-Dada.

The music on this album is very playful, full of ironic humour and life. The music is also very warm. The main instruments are violins, guitars, bass and woodwinds. There are even some vocals here. Most of the music is based on violins and woodwinds though. Which associates the music very closely to the chamber orchestra scene. Jono El Grande and his band is essentially a chamber orchestra and in the same patch of land as the likes of Aranis.

The quality is great throughout. In particular a song like Three Variations on a Mainstream Neurosis which is an excellent workout. In short, this album is a revelation and one of the better albums from Norway I have heard during the last year.

A new album is scheduled for 2011 and I am eagerly awaiting that album. In the meantime, don't miss out on this album.

4 stars

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