LITTLE VICTORIES

The very first time I played this I just wasn't sure what to think. The melodies are sometimes fairly simplistic and often repeated, and there is a great deal of space between the instruments; but as is often the case, one doesn't get the most out of an album just by playing it once. The more time I spent with this, the greater the rewards. The bass and drums keep everything together, although there are times when one or the other is absent depending on what is required, leaving just the violin and guitar as the leads. Sometimes they duet, sometimes they contrast, but themes are brought in and played with and it is the 'simplicity' and repeating of motifs that actually makes this album what it is.

This is truly an album that creates its' own space and dimension, a world where nothing else matters. The only way to truly get the most from this is by playing it on headphones and being removed from everything else that is going on, as this is music that definitely rewards those who are willing to invest the time in getting to know it better. If I had reviewed this after only playing it a few times I would have been scratching my head trying to work out how I could break it to Igor that I really wasn't a fan. But, having listened to it a great deal I am happy that I am able to go to him and say that he has created something that is quite different to most prog albums I listen to, namely that they have created something that is all about emotional connection with the music with a low note density. I have surprised myself with just how much I have enjoyed playing this, and the digipak artwork from Mals also shows that this is something a little out of the ordinary. Listen to some of their music on Bandcamp and discover it for yourself. krobak.bandcamp.com

Ukrainian project KROBAK has been around for a few years at this point, with digital releases dating back to 2007 issued under this moniker. These initial productions were the result of the ideas of Igor Sidorenko, who ran Krobak as a one-man band until 2012. At that point the one man band evolved into a four man strong band unit, and "Little Victories", released through the Russian label MALS Records in 2013, may be regarded as the debut album by Krobak as a full fledged band.

Krobak doesn't expand the borders of the post rock universe with "Little Victories", but they do have an effective and well made take on what to my ears sounds like fairly traditional post rock of the instrumental variety. Frail light toned guitar details alternating with dark toned, beefy guitar riffs with a distinct textured feel to them, with mournful violin solo on top as the main contrasting element. That's basically what you'll find on this album, and if you enjoy post rock utilizing these elements as the main, dominating effects then you will most likely find this disc by Krobak to be of interest as well.

"Little Victories" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Ukrainian post rock act Krobak. The album was released through MALS Records in September 2013. "Little Victories" is available on the band´s Bandcamp profile. Krobak was originally a one-man act founded by Igor Sidorenko and the debut full-length studio album "The Diary of the Missed One (2008)" was recorded solely by Sidorenko. A few years went by with a few concert appearances and the release of some splits, but Sidorenko didn´t feel Krobak got the attention that the project deserved and lost his enthusiasm for it. After recording and touring for a couple of years with his stoner rock act Stoned Jesus, he got his enthusiasm for the project back and started assembling a lineup. He found like minded musicians in Natasha Pirogova (drums), Asya Makarova (bass) and Marko Nikolyuk (violin) and with Sidorenko on guitars the lineup was complete.

The music on "Little Victories" is slow building and atmospheric instrumental post rock with some nods toward ethnic folk in the melodies. It´s greatly dynamic music with both mellow melancholic parts and more louder, and at times, quite heavy parts. Krobak are a tight playing unit, but it´s the organic quality of their performances that are the real asset here. This is actual living people playing and you can hear it. The bass and drums lay the rhythmic foundation, while the guitars play either heavy or more atmospheric chords and notes, but it´s the violin that often defines the sound. Beautiful melancholic themes delivered with passion, on top of the more basic post rock foundation, work like a charm.

The 50 minutes long album features 5 tracks of post rock which will take you on an emotional ride through a landscabe of melancholy, heaviness, and slow building atmospheres. The repetitive slow building element of the band´s music predominantly works really well, but there are times where it´s drawn out a bit too long, like on the 15:01 minutes long closing track "Amnesia (2013)". A track which was featured in it´s original version on the Krobak/Krikston split from 2007. The remaining material are also from that early period of Krobak´s existence, and are re-arranged and re-recorded for "Little Victories".

"Little Victories" is packed in an organic sound production, that suits the music well. Upon conclusion "Little Victories" is therefore a quality release by Krobak, featuring intriguing compositions, great musical performances, and a well sounding production and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

Krobak's "Little Victories" album is the second studio release for this Post Rock band from Ukraine, following their album "The Diary of the Missed One" in 2008. The album is totally instrumental, encompassing atmospheric passages of emotional music consisting of violin played by Marko, bass by Asya, guitars by Igor and drums by Natasha. The musicscape generated has hints of Godspeed You! Black Emperor in the way that it builds gradually and patiently with repeated musical patterns, glazed over with some sweet slices of violin. It is the violin that tends to stand out often, played with finesse throughout. The medleys range from melancholy and dreamy to ferocious distorted guitar blasts. The music virtually pounds like a heartbeat and then softens to a lull in the quiet serenity of acoustic vibrations.

Each track is augmented by its own unique sound, very different than most instrumental albums I have heard lately. The music is housed in an attractive package with striking artwork by Kuba Sokolski depicting a deep sea fish, pencil drawn in an ancient Oriental style with simplistic lines and two tones. The artwork mirrors the music that is equally simplistic and to the point. When heaviness is required it is presented in the raucous distorted guitars, and when peace is needed, it is stripped back, brought forth in lush passages of violin and acoustics. Listen to 'And there by the River I lost my Glasses' and 'Amnesia' for some great examples of this band's style. "Little Victories" is an album that should appeal to those who enjoy the Post Rock style that has emanated from the likes of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, without the brooding darkness that usually accompanies such music.