TRITHEMIS FESTIVA

A trully unusual US band from Boston, Fluttr Effect started at the dawn of the millenium simply as Fluttr, led by guitarist Troy Kidwell and marimba player Vessela Stoyanova.Drummer J Marchionna and cellist Valerie Thompson completed the original line-up, soon to be joined by singer Kara Trott.A 4-track eponymous EP was the first work by the group in 2003, followed a year later by their first full-length, independent release ''Trithemis festiva'', at the time when the group still carried the Fluttr name.

As already said, Fluttr Effect are a strange group, considering the unusual instrumentation and the different, unrelated styles, appearing in their debut album, and if a label could describe them this would be Modern Art Rock.The unusual material starts off with the blend of edgy, heavy guitar riffs and solos with Chamber-like string arrangements, creating grandiose textures in a very modern way.But there are also elements from Jazz, Electronic and Ethnic Music to be found in this album, depending on the track, offering a really flexible and artistic work of its own character.The constant use of marimba next to the dynamic guitar work adds another charming dimension.The majority of the instrumental parts are really adventurous, often with an experimental KING CRIMSON-eque vibe mixed with nice Heavy Prog tunes, but the band manages to offer in general accesible and refined arrangements through the use of memorable choruses and the tapping heavier grooves.Kara Trott and her highly expressive voice is another reason to listen to this album.Really hard to end up with a succesful description.Maybe a cross between KARNATAKA, THE GATHERING and PAATOS would seal the deal, but again this album needs to be heard to be correctly appreciated.

This is definitely a group and an album with a personal style, which simultaneously is quite enjoyable.Very intricate musicianship wrapped in smaller, memorable packages.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.