INNATE

Refreshing new Post Rock from Serbia featuring piano-based instrumentals with roots in both classical, jazz, and Serbian folk musics.

1. "Veer" (6:03) Beautiful song though the second section's piano display gets a little lost and 'separated' from the main group. How awesome would this be with MIDAS FALL's Elizabeth Heaton singing over this! (9/10)

2. "Helm" (4:46) awesome non-piano-based opening takes its time to establish its weave. When piano joins in at 0:50 mark, the song is ready to just keep cruisin'. Very jazz familiar. And great lead melody from the piano. (9/10)

3. "Mountain" (5:08) delicate, almost GEORGE WINSTON/CLAUDE DEBUSSY-like solo piano intro, no other instrument joins in until the 2:06 mark. My favorite song on the album. (9.5/10)

4. "Perun" (5:32) sounds like it could come from the soundtrack to a modern-day dystopian episode of Charlie Brown/Peanuts! (8/10)

5. "Canon Of Insolation" (4:48) opens with guitar effects before very solid Post Rock rhythm and weave establishes itself. Very nice work from all instrumentalists: great flow, restraint, and proficiency. Probably the best song on the album (as opposed to my favorite). Debussy-like piano solo in middle is my favorite part. (9.5/10)

6. "Ramonda Serbica" (7:07) great jazz opening before classical-sounding piano joins. Then distorted pedal wah electric guitar presents with its creepy fade and slide and echoed notes. Interesting. (8.5/10)

7. "Innate" (5:46) sounds very much like a jam in continuation of previous song. Very like Reine Fiske's collaborations with Ståle Storløkken's ELEPHANT9. Nice bass play. Nice ending to the album! (9/10)

A near-masterpiece of jazz- and classically-tinged Post Rock progressive rock music.

This is the latest album from EYOT the piano driven band from Serbia. Led by pianist Dejan Llijic this four piece band deliver sophisticated music that is at times Classical sounding and jazzy. It does have it's breakouts and even an experimental section but this is subtle and classy music overall, very tasteful.

"Veer" opens with drums and piano, classy stuff. It kicks into a full sound before a minute but then settles back with guitar before going back to the that piano/ drum section. Some reserved guitar joins in as well then it kicks in again before 2 minutes as contrasts continue. The piano is more energetic after 3 minutes as the guitar and drums help out. Check out the guitar 4 minutes in as he adds some fire. It's the bass now before 5 minutes standing out. Cool sound here with piano, I like the intensity.

"Helm" opens with guitar, drums and bass as the piano arrives just before a minute. It settles after2 1/2 minutes then kicks into a fuller sound. It settles after 4 minutes to the end. I like the main piano melody to this song. "Mountain" has these relaxed piano melodies to start sounding beautiful. Silence after 2 minutes then a full sound arrives but it's still laid back. It settles right down again before 3 minutes with piano and guitar expressions. It's full again before 4 minutes with the piano leading the way.

"Perun" opens with guitar as the drums join in then piano. I like how avant it becomes before 3 minutes then the guitar starts to come to the fore. Great sound here. It calms right down before 4 minutes then the piano begins to impress once again. That repetitive piano melody is so good.

"Canon Of Isolation" has these restrained guitar expressions to start as the drums, piano and bass kick in quickly. Soon it's the piano leading the way in this tasteful soundscape. I like how the sound sort of rises and falls in this one as it plays out. Really good! It starts to wind down after 4 minutes.

"Ramonda Serbica" opens with bass and drums before some fast paced piano arrives. Some depth to the sound around 1 1/2 minutes as the guitar solos over top tastefully. A calm before 3 minutes as the piano rises to the top as the drums and bass become quieter. An interesting section as the bass and guitar start to become more upfront.

"Innate" has some energy and power to it as the guitar comes in over top. Oh man, more of this please. The guitar then steps back as the band seems to jam with some intensity. Nice. It comes to a climax after 5 minutes then an almost silent calm of atmosphere ends it.

This was such a pleasure to listen to this past week, I always looked forward to it.