PUTTING OFF DEATH

My only experience with this band up to this point was "Fear Draws Misfortune" which I thoroughly enjoyed. I thankfully can say the same about their latest "Putting Off Death" which is an eccentric album with a nice blend of commercial sounding music and Avant shenanigans. Besides the usual instruments we get 2 tuba players, 2 sax players, 2 trumpet players along with trombone, french horn, flute and violin. There is a theme to this album and the lyrics are pretty interesting.

"Language Is" is just outside of being in my top three tracks for this album. Reserved vocals and piano remind me of WIGWAM for some strange reason. It turns fuller around 1 1/2 minutes as the drums join in. Back to the previous soundscape of piano and vocals only as contrasts continue. It kicks into gear before 4 minutes to an uptempo piano/ drum groove. A change after 5 minutes as we get this strong atmosphere with rolling piano lines. This lasts until another change after 7 1/2 minutes as a horn arrives and the tempo slows down some with piano and drums helping out. Piano only after 9 minutes but drums and horns will arrive quickly. I'm not happy about the static that overtakes the music around 10 1/2 minutes, it's like listening to the radio and suddenly static dominates the sound. Annoying but short thankfully. I'm sure it's there for a reason.

"Immanence" is a top three. A pleasant sound here with really nice female vocals. I'm really enjoying this, especially when it turns fuller 2 1/2 minutes in with some cool vocal arrangements. Horns are here too then we get a calm 3 minutes in with piano and vocals like the opening. "Wishful Breathing" opens with drums and keyboards I believe then male vocals join in just before a minute. It starts to sound experimental 1 1/2 minutes in as the vocals step aside. Interesting stuff. A calm before 3 minutes with picked instruments only.

"Falling World" features these fuzzed out sounds to begin with as some guitar notes chip in followed by high pitched male vocals reminding me of CARDIACS. Drums a minute in then horns a minute later. It seems to deconstruct starting after 2 1/2 minutes to the end. "More And Less" opens with what sounds like vibes and drums as the horns join in. Vocals a minute in as the horns step aside but then another arrives. Vocals stop around 2 minutes as the horns and drums lead the way.

"Life Time Guarantee" is my favourite song on here. Vocals, guitar and bass hit the ground running as the drums join in. I like this. Horns just before a minute then a calm before 1 1/2 minutes with reserved vocals but then they step aside. It kicks in again after 2 1/2 minutes and check out the nice melodic guitar after 3 minutes. Vocals are back before 4 minutes and I like the drumming here. It turns avant before 4 1/2 minutes with vocals and dissonant sounds then we're back in the groove 5 minutes in as the horns start to blast over top.

"Hymn" is my final top three, yes the album ends really well. Guitar and drums as the vocals and more join in. This is so moving when the vocals arrive. Why? Horns before 1 1/2 minutes as the vocals stop briefly. Themes are repeated. After 3 minutes it starts to fall apart(haha) as it becomes experimental briefly then the vocals return. I can't remember being moved like this by one of their songs.

Another really good album that matches up well in my opinion to "Fear Draws Misfortune". Time will tell which one I like best but in the meantime I need to track down "No Ifs, And Or Dogs" that apparently fits in well with the two I already have. You don't have to be a fan of Avant music to like this one so check it out everyone!