Big Balloon Music
The Red Masque : Victoria and the Haruspex (UK?,2002)****°
Not more than once a year or in a few years am I confronted with a release about which I immediately say : wow, what a monster, this definitely is a classic on its own, a must to hear. This is such a release.
There are not many music examples with basically an acoustic character combined with an avant garde open structure. (Recently the 'Hirsche Nicht Aus Sofa' releases (from the eighties) have been reissued, with "Küttel Im Frost" and also "Melchior" as highlights).
This CD starts very experimentally, covering all kinds of genres listed in the famous Steven Stapelton list of collectors items that crosses musical borders (with hints to Saint Just, Opus Avantra,..), without being just avant garde. Instead this is a highly listenable / enjoyable release. This first track, "Haruspex" is structured in an improvisational manner and should interest Steven Stapelton for sure. This might not be the easiest / most accessible way to start a CD but still is tremendous (with its contributing el.guitars, organ, female voice,..) and beautiful all 25 minutes.
After this track the music changes into more easily recognisable structured music. "Birdbrain" with organ, very up driving rhythms, electric guitar outbursts, heavy female progressive rock voice (hints to Julian's Treatment and the likes), is a track that gives me shivers all over my back. This is mindexpanding and ''kundalini' stimulating music with beautifully varied, quiet passages, recalling all my favourite 70's prog groups (Saint Just indeed, but with a voice with power). "Afterloss" starts wonderfully and harmoniously with acoustic guitars / harp fingerpickings, with addition of the heavenly powervocals of Lyniette Shelly, accompanied by flamenco like acoustic rhythm guitars / more fingerpicking and harp. Also the melodies / workouts are speaking very much to the heart, in a way like flamenco does. "Cenopath" is a very beautiful harp track (dedicated to a member (Nathan-Andrew Dewin)'s brother Alan).
A must be heard release. Unmissable in any open minded progressive music collection.
Remarks at the radioshow :
"An unknown classic of progressive / Psychedelic, + some not difficult to appreciate free but harmonic improvisations, still in balance with what can be carried from a heart's expression, and music with an acoustic foundation. Best item from 2002 ! Possibly not influenced by 70's classic avant garde progressive items (Saint Just,..) but with the same quality of music as result. Singing mood also reminiscent at Siouxie and The Banshees' "Join Hands" period, but somehow more refined, with wider ranged expression and instrumentation."
(Available through European label/distributor Musea Records (www.musearecords.com) and through American distributor ZNR CDS (www.znrcds.com). In addition, the band has tentative plans to go into the studio this spring to record a new album. Big Balloon Music (www.bigballoonmusic.com) is currently talking with the band about possible label support for this new album. )
