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The Evpatoria Report - Golevka CD (album) cover

GOLEVKA

The Evpatoria Report

Post Rock/Math rock


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Prog-jester
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars THE EVPATORIA REPORT is well-known band among Post-Rock fans (well, at least I think so!), and the usual thing about them is eternal comparison to YNDI HALDA, JOHNNYTWENTYTHREE, THE PIRATE SHIP QUINTET and loads of other bands who mix guitar-driven Post-Rock of EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY with Epic strings of GY!BE.

Chronologically, THE EVPATORIA REPORT (and lesser-known bands like BRIGHT RED PAPER and DETWIIJE) were the first to bring violin to the forefront, as the leading instrument. I like what I heard on 'Golevka', but I can't stop thinking of YNDI HALDA in the same time - I mean, I like YNDIES a LOT more. It's not fair to compare, but TER's stuff seems to be less interesting, epics are mostly built on one melody/chord progression, and climaxes are too predictable and even a bit boring. I like the whole idea and the very fact that each one can choose a band to his own likings (X likes YNDI HALDA, Y prefers THE EVPATORIA REPORT, etc), besides TER have released their stuff before others (there's a self- released self-titled EP from 2003 available for free download from their site, grab it while you can!)...so I feel like this review mostly spins around my personal moan 'I like it, but I heard it from YH and liked their stuff even better!' As a conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend this album to everyone, especially to PA Post-Rock lovers (more reviewing, guys!). 3.5 stars!

Report this review (#172469)
Posted Thursday, May 29, 2008 | Review Permalink
Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars THE EVPATORIA REPORT are a Post-Rock band out of Switzerland. This album in particular is rated highly by Post-Rock fans so I decided to pick it up. I would describe the sound as cinematic, it's like I was listening to a movie instead of watching it. Lots of guitars and strings here, and it can go from calm to very powerful in a hurry. I just like how powerful the atmosphere is, this has such a full and lush sound to it.

"Prognoz" opens with atmosphere galore as different sounds come, go and hover. It kicks in heavily after 3 1/2 minutes then settles quickly with strings. Gentle guitar after 6 minutes. Beautiful section. Drums and bass join in after 7 minutes. This sounds so good. It kicks back in at 10 1/2 minutes. "Taijin Kyofusho" opens with the sound of a transmission between two parties and i'm sure one is in outer space. Gentle guitar joins in then strings and bass. Drums follow as it builds. Keys before 5 minutes. It settles a minute later yet it sounds urgent and it's building. Intense at 8 minutes. A calm 10 minutes in.

"Cosmic Call" opens with this repetitive guitar line. Strings then drums as it slowly builds. It settles before 4 1/2 minutes. The tempo picks up before 7 minutes then it kicks in. Settles once more and we get some spoken words 8 1/2 minutes in. "C.C.S. Logbook" opens with drums that fade out then guitar and drums take over. Great sound here and the tempo will shift throughout this tune. It stops abruptly to end it. "Optimal Region Selector" drifts along in a spacey manner. Drums 3 minutes in. Powerful sound before 5 minutes then it settles a minute later. It ends as it began. "Dipole Experiment" opens with strings as atmosphere rolls in and gets louder. Vocal melodies too. Emotional music right here.It stops at 5 1/2 minutes then atmosphere returns before we get a beat at 7 minutes with keys and strings. More vocal melodies follow. A moving track to say the least.

Easily 4 stars, and if your a Post-Rock fan it's essential listening.

Report this review (#288510)
Posted Sunday, June 27, 2010 | Review Permalink
Horizons
COLLABORATOR
Honorary Collaborator
5 stars From This World and Another

Evpatoria Report is a brilliant band. Their name originates from Yevpatoria, a Crimean city that has a parabolic antenna that sends signals into space that try to describe human life. This background puts everything this band creates into context beautifully.

Their music feels interstellar, putting you in the body of an astronaut as they float among the stars. It can be calming just as much as it is suspenseful while you sit in anticipation for the unknown. It is the flawlessness in how human this music sounds that makes this album so powerful. The songs are long, giving the music plenty of room to breathe and create tension and do with it as it pleases.

To prevent having this particular album mapped out, I want to just showcase a few songs: Taijin Kyofusho, C.S.S Logbook, and Dipole Experiment.

"Those who have Taijin Kyofusho are likely to be extremely embarrassed of themselves or displeasing to others when it comes to the functions of their bodies or their appearances. The symptoms of this disorder include avoiding social outings and activities, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, panic attacks, trembling, and feelings of dread and panic when around people." This song is a musical representation of this Japan-bound disorder. The song is a slow, saddening build up to a crushing explosion. Some strings are featured here, setting the grim mood. The drums are hard, yet simple, pulsing like a heartbeat. The guitars just shine as they progress from moody swells to ripping distortion. Beautifully constructed.

"C.S.S Logbook" continues the band's art of storytelling. Tasteful dynamics emphasize each second as you wait for where the music will take you next. Eventually the lone guitars usher in the drums, and the crescendo takes place. Gaining more and more momentum and tension the climax suddenly ends. A reference to the 2003 Columbia Space Shuttle disaster.

Finally, "Dipole Experiment" offers the listener a choir and string-dominated song. Beautiful echoes of the voices pair with some strings to create a pristine atmosphere. The music fades until the drums are finally introduced, bringing new life to "Dipole Experiment". We are then met with the crest of this wave - joining the choir, strings, drums, and distorted guitars into the single voice of The Evpatoria Report.

Golevka is one of the best examples of post-rock done right. Emotion-filled music told from instrumental storytelling. This album is certainly a journey, one that should be experienced by all interested in the genre. I honestly cannot find a single flaw, only praise for a stunning album.

Report this review (#1455009)
Posted Thursday, August 20, 2015 | Review Permalink

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