DROSOPHILA ROAD

Ned Busckii believes in things like rebirth ...

POLYTOXICOMANE PHILHARMONIE appear with a new exciting output in 2007. 'Drosophila' is a genus of flies and this one can be called a concept album de facto handling the adventurous story of fly Ned Busckii who wakes up one morning with the feeling that a change is definetely needed in his life. The story is given in english, provided by talented german artist Natali Haug (Ahula Tinga) and can be checked out included in the ellaborated CD package as well as on the homepage.

They are following the crazy concept once initiated with the masterpiece debut 'Psycho Erectus' in 2003. Of course some references to other acts are coming into my mind listening to the album but the band members are able to conglomerate an amazing mix of styles and influences once more, unique and really hard to describe.

Of course the recordings are starting with Busckii's lift-off but then the band hurries up to follow him with the complex Opinion provided with Zappa leanings, some samples and tempo breaks. Mini-Rock is my personal highlight - here the band creates a tremendous groove only interrupted by some weird interludes. Additionally we have wonderful female vocals remembering me of King Cobb Steelie, jazzy brass contributions and spaced-out guitars - wow - I like that! Listening to Late Train To Casket County you would consider them to be under the influence of some mind-blowing substances during the recordings furthermore. The song has a longer opening section with didgeridoo and native indian singing later followed by whispering male/female vocals with a jamming band as the background and last but not least a weird finale with spacey guitars and samples.

The long track Sotto Voce has a nice relaxed floating start supported by a cool 'sexy' saxophone. But - who is familiar with the band knows - the only constant is variation. After some time the bands plungs deep in psychedelic twin guitar jamming 'til the ultimate downfall comes with weird ambient soundscapes/samples in the second half of the song. The Mirrorman finally is an amalgamation of heavier guitar riff spiked rock n' roll and fluffy easy going elements and therefore has a special avantgarde touch.

'Drosophila Road' is a recommended album, also appealing to Zappa fans as well as krautrock lovers, more angular than the forerunner as for my impression. I prevent to mention a special member because they are acting flawlessly. POLYTOXICOMANE PHILHARMONIE are worth it to be checked out - you should play this loud!

This German band have released three albums in the 2000's and all three are incredible Psychedelic based albums with some jazzy motifs and experimental soundscapes. They have a great sense of humour as well and even released a couple of Zappa song covers on a singles recording called "Pot Rats". I adore their debut giving it 5 stars while this one and the followup "Go Ape" are both solid 4 star recordings. I do like this one more than "Go Ape" and it's a concept album about a fly named Ned. That's him on the cover, a fine looking fellow. We get male and female vocals in English and the male at times sounds like Captain Beefheart. A six piece band with sax, bass clarinet, melodica, electric piano and the usual instruments.

I had to laugh last night as I was taking notes while listening to the opener "Opinion" because it starts out with Ned buzzing around loudly and my cat suddenly is up on the counter seeking out that fly. We can hear a car start up and rev it's engine then drums take over before a minute as male vocals and bass clarinet enter the scene. Sax before 1 1/2 minutes as the vocals stop briefly. Guitar after 2 minutes and this all sounds so good. A calm after 2 1/2 minutes though then the sax and more returns but then some sampled words only after 3 minutes before the music with male vocals returns. A phone rings before 4 minutes then this doom-like soundscape takes over. Oh! Oh! Spoken high pitched words from Ned follow then some aggressive guitar before ending with sax, Ned, vocals and more.

"Mini Rock" is quite spacey to start before drums, sax, guitar and female vocals kick in, bass too. I like this a lot. Catchy stuff. Some excellent guitar before 1 1/2 minutes then samples and quivering male vocals take over. Those vocals will turn passionate. How good are the distorted keys, love that sound and it will return later. The sax is back along with the female vocals after 3 1/2 minutes along with some male vocal expressions in the background. There's those distorted keys again 5 minutes in as the sax and drums support. I like the instrumental section that follows and it goes on and on with guitar, bass and drums.

"Late Train To Casket Country" is a killer tune. Samples and experimental sounds to start out then check out the female chanting with snorking sounds(haha) and more. Where do they come up with this stuff? So cool. It's not until around 3 1/2 minutes that guitar, drums and samples take over as it kicks into a groove. Love that angular guitar and the bass 4 minutes in. Spoken female and male vocals trade off as the guitar grinds away. So good! It all stops before 6 minutes as this dark and mysterious soundscape takes over, casket country indeed. It turns experimental and haunting after that.

"Sotto Voce"is the longest tune at 14 1/2 minutes and it opens with a buzzing atmosphere before drums, sax and guitar take over. Female vocals after 1 1/2 minutes and check out the angular guitar 2 minutes in. Bass clarinet follows with female vocals and that relaxed beat. More sax then these gruff male vocals arrive. Female vocals are back around 3 1/2 minutes. Such a chilled start for the most part. That all changes after 4 minutes with those guitar expressions. A change 6 1/2 minutes in as the music stops and this dark atmosphere takes over. A beat rises out this at 9 minutes, sax too. More experimental sound and the guitar makes some noise after 11 1/2 minutes. Male vocals after 12 minutes. Sax and bass clarinet 13 minutes in as the vocals stop. Some laughter then guitar.

"The Mirrorman" is such a good closer. Atmosphere builds as a beat with sax and bass kicks in. So catchy! Some sampled spoken words before 2 minutes then the male vocals return. Grinding guitar before 3 minutes and I really like the percussion and guitar before 5 minutes. Just bobbing around to this. A calm before 6 1/2 minutes then spoken words and experimental sounds end it.

This is closer to 4.5 stars. I just love how adventerous this is and all those ideas. Great album!