A MURMUR, BOUNDLESS TO THE EAST

Obviously inspired by a specific German band in some way, YOO DOO RIGHT currently are a trio from Montreal, Québec, consisting of Justin Cober (guitar, synth, vocals), Charles Masson (bass), and drummer John Talbot. Thus, distributed via Mothland in June 2022, their second album 'A Murmur, Boundless To The East' covers very much Kraut infected music, but is also equipped with a contemporary post rock and shoegaze twist in equal measure. Based on that requirements they are able to offer an inspired unique flow, surely also due to the involvement of acclaimed record producer Radwan Ghazi Moumneh. And so, step by step, this evokes its experimental free-spirited character over the course, with the result of a well appointed amalgam of song structure and improvisation.

I'm not sure to whom this is adressed especially, but Say Less, Do More certainly is a clever advice concerning many cases in real life. Eh, the song reminds me of New Model Army somehow, especially due to Justin Cober's singing voice. Ebb and flow featuring hypnotic behaviour, deep grooves and lively drums, soaring synths and guitars, Dérive proves the provided skills as no other. Neo Kraut Grandezza! Surprisingly in between, on The Failure Of Stiff, Tired Friends the lead guitar describes some cinematic Ennio Morricone adapted mood. Then later you'll be faced with rather weird lyrics repectively vocals on the extended Feet Together, Face Up, On The Front Lawn. Finally this accentuates the post rock aspect again, including raising monumental guitar walls. My conclusion: great stuff! 'A Murmur, Boundless To The East' definitely marks an enjoyable production.

The sophomore studio release from these young Quebecois Krautrockers.

1. "Say Less, Do More" (8:32) Post Rock with Krautrock's simplicity and voice-over. The first two minutes are pleasantly hypnotic, even melodic, but so simple. Interesting things begin to happed with Slowdive-like guitars and more cymbal action from the drums in the third minute, then the post-punk vocal rant enters (sung in accented-English). This could very well have come out of some young angry Brits in the early 1980s--like Joy Division or even The Clash (in their more introspective moments). In the end, there just isn't enough to make this anything more that good solid Post-punk Post Rock (though I do love the contribution of Jessica Moss' violin in the final minutes). (17/20)

2. "SMB" (6:42) pres de Disco Post Rock. Buce sound palette coming from the two guitars but all in all, even with its Post Rock slow-build and cresecendo, it's just too simplistic and unchanging. (8.33/10)

3. "Derive" (8:03) a mysterious, almost cinematic foundation with some great bass play and atmospheric synths, but, in the end, it's just too CAN-like. The crescendoing fourth, fifth, and sixth minutes (mostly from the glissandoing guitars) shows great promise, great energy, but then it all comes crashing down in a JAMBINAI/MONO way before resetting to the opening motif as if nothing had happened. Crazy! (13.25/15)

4. "The Failure of Stiff, Tired Friends" (6:02) smooth and pleasantly atmospheric; parts of this could come from THE CURE or some 1980s (John Hughes) movie soundtrack. I like it. Very much. (8.875/10)

5. "Feet Together, Face Up, on the Front Lawn" (16:36) A heavy start to this one puts them in the realm of Post Rock bands like SLEEPMAKESWAVES and MONO. At the three-minute mark the music shifts radically into a pure CAN mode--even with crazed vocals of the Damo Suzuki kind, but then we quite as drastically and mysteriously shift back to the heavy POST ROCK motif at the end of the fourth minute for a few bars, but then it reverts back into the CAN motif again. Back and forth a couple times before going Post Rock and drawing it out (and down) into a more SWANS-like form and style. Pretty ingenious if derivative. We kind of stay in the Swans and heavy Post Rock realms for the remainder of the song. (26/30)

Total Time 45:55

Quite a disappointment for I had very high expectations for this band after their stunning debut. Still, the album did get better the deeper you get into the album. And, overall, I do like the sound of this band! I am not done with guys yet, yoo doo right!

B/four stars; a solid album of Nouveau Post Rock that, though not as impressive as one might have hoped for after their delightfully refreshing debut, would still make a nice addition to any prog lover's music collection.