MAAR

This is for fans of Sigur Ros, Godspeed You Black Emperor!, pre-Hex BARK PSYCHOSIS, early-Piano Magic, 4AD arrtists, Tortoise and the '90s shoegazer scene...most notably Slowdive. Fans of the Detroit space rock scene such as Windy & Carl and Fuxa would also enjoy this. Basically, a nice fusion of the aforementioned groups. 4 long atmospheric tracks, the shortest being 11 minutes. _Mithridate_ is a definite highlight with some narration sampling which seems to be a commentary of some sort(haven't quite figured it out yet, but it has kept me coming back to this track often to figure it all out). _Acheron_, the closer is another highlight using white noise/distortion to great effect. Recommend to all post rock fans, although I do not hear any math rock. 4 solid stars.

THE EVPATORIA REPORT were a Swiss band who released two studio albums and then called it a day. I do prefer the debut but this one is a very solid Post-Rock album that those who are into this sub-genre should really appreciate. They were a five piece band of two guitarists, a keyboard/ violinist, bass and drums. There are some guests mostly on the opener as we get four extra violinists and a cello player. We get four long tracks over 61 plus minutes of running time. These guys do it right.

"Eighteen Robins Road" is almost haunting the way it slowly begins with plenty of atmosphere and very slowly played piano. The violin starts to sweep across the soundscape before 2 minutes then guitars arrive a minute later. Drums follow as the violin cries out. Bass before 4 minutes, this is really good. Of course it's been slowly building in the Post-Rock tradition. It's more powerful after 5 minutes then suddenly a calm before 6 1/2 minutes with keys and atmosphere. Violin is back at 8 1/2 minutes then the sound starts to slowly build again before 9 minutes. The music suddenly stops before 11 minutes as we hear a woman whispering about death as the atmosphere rolls in. It's like it then starts over before 12 minutes with bass, a beat and picked guitar. So uplifting, and then when the violin joins in it's so beautiful. It's building once more to a powerful sound late.

"Dar Now" is a top two for me. Guitar to start and it turns powerful quickly with distorted guitars, drums and more. I love when we get a calm around 1 1/2 minutes, beautiful stuff. Post-Rock guitars over top before 2 1/2 minutes. It settles back again after 3 minutes. A guitar melody takes over before 4 1/2 minutes then another guitar joins in. Drums, bass and then violin follow as it slowly builds. It settles back after 9 1/2 minutes but then kicks in with power a minute later. It starts to slow down 12 minutes in but the power is still there although that fades quickly. Sounds like a sample of a concert before 13 1/2 minutes to pretty much end it.

"Mithridate" is my other top two track. Picked guitar to start as bass arrives then some drums. This is sparse and atmospheric. It turns spacey before 2 1/2 minutes, almost FLOYD-like surprisingly. It calms right down after 4 minutes with spacey sounds. Some narration at 5 1/2 minutes then a beat kicks in with violin and more. The music is getting louder with more prominent bass before 7 minutes as the narration ends. This is powerful stuff. Screaming violin after 10 minutes. Nice.

"Acheron" ends it and it the longest track at 19 1/2 minutes. Strummed guitar to start. Violin just before a minute starts some mournful playing. It's building before it kicks in hard before 2 1/2 minutes with Post-Rock styled guitars over top. It settles back a minute later as sounds echo in atmosphere as drums continue. They stop as it slowly settles back, beautiful sound after 4 1/2 minutes. Picked guitar a minute later as it starts to build some. Bass and drums before 6 1/2 minutes then it kicks in heavily before 8 minutes. It starts to settle back before 11 minutes but it has a powerful atmosphere that pulses until fading away at 12 1/2 minutes as a lone guitar is picked. It picks up again after 16 minutes but not a whole lot before winding down late.

Post-Rock fans should be all over the two releases by this Swiss band. They did release an EP first which I haven't heard but the two studio albums are essential listening.