Music Banter - Qwertyy's Journal of Music Reviews and Other Assorted Ramblings

http://cuneiformrecords.com/bandshtm...k/polyglot.jpg
Volapük - Polyglöt
Recommended by grindy

I think this may be the first time I've ever listened to an avant-prog album, so we'll see how this goes.

Vieux Futur: Lots of different instrumentation here to start it off and a very cool string section is leading the show. It's kind of quirky, but I'm liking it. The quirkiness disappeared rather quickly and is replaced with what no seems to be some very European instrumentation, even a little bit of Middle Eastern influence at times perhaps? I truly believe the violin is one of the most beautiful instruments out there when played well.

Nusrat: I can definitely hear some more middle Eastern influence on this track. The female vocals are nice, not sure what the language is. Some of the tracks have French names so I assumed I would be able to understand most of the lyrics but it doesn't look they'll be singing in French. This is a cool track I suppose, but it doesn't really excite me all that much for some reason... can't really point it out because as a whole there aren't many issues with the music. I guess it's just a matter of preference.

Voila Puk: I really like the way this one starts. Nice instrumentation and what appears to be some vocal modulation? Not sure, but it's just a light electronic noise in the background. This would be great music to listen to while riding in a gondola.

Sanza: Is this an ode to the long lost MB member of a similar name? This one is kind of spooky, which I certainly like. It doesn't really go anywhere though and now the track is over.

Tante Yo: Love the cello on this one as it builds up like the theme to an epic chase scene in a Bond film. There is some epic transitions on this track, now it kind of sounds like the score for Jaws. The way each instrument manages to do it's own thing and yet come together to form a very cohesive sound is remarkable. This is the best track up to this point.

Entre 2 Zoo: This seems to be a much jazzier cut. I like it. I need to google this band and find out where they're from because something about their sound makes me think of Paris. Hey, I was right they are French. Anyway, this was a solid song, nothing amazing but a solid addition to the mix.

Technovo: A very upbeat composition here with some nice piano work appearing briefly in the background. The name is very fitting due to the upbeat nature. What's interesting is how the violin is able to contrast this upbeat sound with such slow and drawn out notes. This is a truly amazing piece. It's essentially dance music meets a traditional European folk sound while being combined with some jazz and chamber influence as well.

Marimba: Maybe it's because of how much I've loved two of the last three songs, but this one just feels a little bit... meh. It's not bad but it doesn't live up to Tante Yo or Technovo.

Des liens invisibles: A very atmospheric cut here. Love the way the violins take center stage, especially near the end. Almost has a post-rock vibe as it builds up near the finish, each instrument being layered on top of one another. It ends with a sharp cutting out as silence hits.

Valses Chinoise: I love this one as well. There was so much going on and I was debating ordering a pizza though so I'm having a hard time describing it. It just felt like all the instruments were swinging together for a nice groovy track.

Pablo: This one is starting off very slow paced. The violin notes are being dragged out again and it's making for a very emotional piece. Suddenly the drums hit and we're turning things up a notch. It still has an air of sadness about it, but the horns and drums are bringing some much needed speed to this dreary cut.

Medication & yoghurt: Oh wow, a xylophone and some sort of string instrument are the intro to this song. It's a little different from what's been done so far, but it certainly is interesting.

L'oeuf d'Apuk: We're at the end of this thing already, huh. For a project with a lot of tracks this sure went by quickly. Oh hey some French that I could understand, cool. This is just more of what's been played so far up to this point. It's another cool track, the drum work stands out a lot to me. A solid way to finish things off. A wild spazz out with some horse noises and all.

Final Verdict: Reading over what I said about each track makes me feel like I should like this a lot more than I want to say... I did like it though, don't get me wrong. I thought the musicianship was fantastic and it was unlike anything I've ever really heard in terms of a full album. It just didn't really resonate with me beyond the point of being "cool." I think this may just be one of those albums that requires multiple listens to truly digest, but nonetheless I did enjoy it enough.

Pass