AVTOMAT PROSHLOGO

You can hear that CIOLKOWSKA are deriving from the Russian Federation. What may surprise one or two anyhow - they have developed a rather eclectic approach in recent years. The stylistical fundament is obvious, the arrangements though are definitely sophisticated, more than what one normally would expect from a common psychedelic space rock band. Let's say ... due to a strict structure, diverse tempo changes, twists and turns, as well as unusual instruments and a sublime atmosphere. Just for your entertainment, okay? There is a trumpet aboard now too, but not solely Aleksey Gorshkov will add a proper jazzy touch to some songs. Just take the speedy My Iz Dzhaza for example, which shows the whole band off the beaten path.

The nine tracks are focussed on the instrumental scope, vocals are not always given. If so, then truely presented in many variants, partially also via sample, or in narrative form. Not to forget, somewhat spectacular of course is the presence of an electrified ukelele, played by Alesha Izlesa, and this since the band's very beginning. What ultimately serves an ethnic vibe, akin to Slovo Mira's balalaika. Furthermore, due to punchy drums and bass, the songs generate strength and power again and again. And then Yegor Svysokihgor shows the complete expression on his guitars, from soaring to acid, melancholic to heavy. Simply fabulous!

I will pick up another example here, more close to a jam, the inspired 108 shows some funny (freestyle?) vocals, in some way referencing Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin and others. Goal accomplished. Released digitally and on CD by addicted label noname666 'Avtomat Proshlogo' turns out to be a recommended purchase. Some may deprecate that two covers are taken for the song collection, they are adopted from other obscure Saint Petersburg based bands. Doesn't really matter, because I'm sure that most of us never ever will have listened to the originals beforehand.

Russian act Ciolkowska first came together in 2012 as a result of a jam between Egor Svysokikhgor (guitars), Vano Ayvazyan (bass, keyboards) & Kirill Tsarkov (drums), and took their name from Russian space scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky. Over the years they have primarily concentrated on improvisation, and until 2016 all of their material was self-released. However, they then signed with noname records who released this album towards the end of 2018. By this time Tsarkov had departed and the drum seat was now occupied by David Aaronson, while they had become a quartet with the addition of Alesya Izlesa on ukulele, while they also used guest Aleksey Gorshkov on trumpet.

Recorded live at Dobrolet Studio in St.Petersburg, this is an incredibly varied album. It is intricate, complex, and certainly not for the fainthearted as while fans of Can and Art Zoyd will certainly get a great deal from it, these guys are trying to move the avant garde into even more complex and diverse areas. It can be dreamy, almost space rock, with gently picked acoustic guitar combining with trumpet to create a mood, or it can be driving. "108" even contains a repeated chant much in the vein of Hari Krishna devotees, but if you listen to the words being chanted then you may well be in for a surprise. Let's just say they are invoking the mighty gods of the late Sixties as opposed to any more recognised religious being, although all those being named were indeed touched by genius and whose flame burned very bright indeed and for far too short a period.

It isn't an easy album to listen to, and I must confess it took me at least three attempts before I managed to get inside it, but once I had I was intrigued by what was being produced. Ayvazyan has a gentle touch on the bass, and it is often he who keeps everything pinned and moving forward, as this while there is still undoubtedly an improvised element these songs are far more structured than many working in this environment, and the use of vocals on some of the numbers only strengthens that. This is certainly well worth investigating for those who enjoy music pushing boundaries.

Russian band CIOLKOWSKA started out back in 2012, and the band have half a dozen releases to their name in the 7 years that have passed since the band was formed. Their most recent album at the point of writing is "Avtomat Proshlogo", which was released on the Russian [addicted label]) in 2018.

Those who fancy a slice of innovative, creative and ever so slightly eccentric psychedelic rock should take note of this album by Russian band Ciolkowska. While this isn't music that strikes me as having a vastly broad appeal, the at times challenging nature of the material a limiting factor in that context, those who tend to treasure demanding and eclectic psychedelic progressive rock should find many moments of joy on this CD.