DE LORIANS

This is not the easiest listen in fact if we had an Avant/Canterbury section this would fit right in. Complex, dense with a lot of sharp and angular sounds. You could get dizzy listening to this one. And man this young five piece out of Tokyo are players to say the least. Keyboards, drums, bass, guitar and sax. At 32 minutes it might seem short but believe me for this challenging music it's just right.

It is incredible how often they change things up on every track. They can't sit still. Hyper, complex music that takes some serious props from Frank Zappa, HATFIELD AND THE NORTH, STUBBS, SOFT MACHINE and MOVING GELATINE PLATES. This is a stew of sounds that sounds unique to my ears but there's also those constant familiar sounds that bring Zappa and SOFT MACHINE especially to mind.

So much to process on every track and so I'm not surprised at how long it's taken me to actually enjoy this. Jazz based and that sax can be daunting especially the electric sax, yes sort of like Elton Dean back in the day. And sure this could be Ratledge on keyboards but the way this is all arranged come on! I don't know I'm just so fascinated with this record. The guitar is often angular but always expressive and out front with the sax. Distorted organ to my delight is all over this plus electric piano. The bass pops and the drummer is jazzy. They're like a free jazz band at times but Canterbury style. Avant in the Zappa mode at his most complex. Not easy listening! Oh yeah the bass player adds cello and we get a guest adding flute on the opener and closer.

One of the very best from 2019.