EPUZZZ

On their third EP titled EPUZZZ which simply added yet another "Z" to the title started on the first release, cranked out another slice of their self-described tropical apocalyptic form of groove music with a post-modern touch. I'm not sure if there was a lineup change as Manu Siachoua is no longer part of the band and Emmanuel Siachoua is listed. So either he changed his name or his brother or other relative replaced him. Nevertheless, the Siachoua on this EP has taken up flute, bass and voice. Another feature that is different is that there is no presence of the guitar on EPUZZZ.

This third release finds a lot more emphasis on vocal interactions and harmonic dissonance in counterpoints. The zeuhl inspired bass rhythms remain intact as do the avant-prog counterpoints of the keyboards and like the second EP, this one has deviations into pure avant-prog territory with angular rhythmic twists and turns. Also once again i'm finding the falsetto wackiness of the vocal interplay very much reminds me of another French band named Poil. While it may sound like a distorted guitar at the end of "Can I Have Coens?" they seem to have gone the route of the crazy Japanese band Ruins as a bass and drums type of band for the rhythm section while the keys, flute and vocals add the zany freeform aspects.

"Raggapop" is surprisingly cartoonish and reminds me of the Warner Bros Looney Tune type constructs that Carl Stalling adapted from Raymond Scott only with a more freaked out approach that only adults who never grew up could think of. "Les Moins Nombreaux" has a very frenetic zeuhl type of bass line with some excellent keyboard work that ranges from a frenetic avant-garde classical piano style to smooth organ fills. This is probably the most dynamic track as it changes things up often with a driving keyboard attack that displays some excellent finger breaking workouts. Overall, this one is sort of a let down. There are some nice developments from EP #2 but something feels like it's lacking. Once again, ULTRA ZOOK provide an entertaining mix of eclectic influences but seem to just miss the essential mark and the Poil vocal styles start to rub me the wrong way after a while. I'd rather listen to them.

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