Umnachter Project
Umnachter Project : Schall und Rauch (AT,2010)****/***'
The Umnachter Project is still lead by Robert Polsterer (overtone-singing, western- and classical- guitar, jew’s harp, didgeridoo, and some percussive elements). His own description of his work is :
“Archaic overtone singing meets melancholic guitar music. Confluence of suspenseful silence and glowing ritual fire. The Umnachter project is melancholic music full of hope and yearning. Images of faraway lands are arising, fabulous beings are accompanying the traveller on his path and mythic rites open the gates to unforeseen worlds.”
But the difference with the previous album is that there are less repetitions and contradictions in styles and that I have the impression there is a more whole group idea and performance behind it. Melodic and compositional dual acoustic guitar arrangements are alternated with overtone harmony singing. The guitar pieces have mixed ideas of melancholy, romanticism and medieval and folklore ideas worked out more often like baroque compositions. The singing parts are like a mix of medieval monk singing, shamanic singing in a new context, like some Finnish folk-rock bands perform, with the same attractive effect of some rhythmic accents, and with some hints to Austrian folklore and an occasional yodelling spell. Included were also two compositions composed for the European Overtone Choir (EOC). Recommended.
(The album is also available as download on Amazon.com)
