HOUSE OF NOT

House Of Not biography
Founded in Toronto, Canada in 2003

With the help of a dozen guest musicians contributing everything from extra guitars (lots of guitars!) to trombone, this psychedelic duo from Toronto, namely vocalist Brian Erikson and guitarist Lou Roppoli, got together in 2002 with a specific aim: to record a five-cd concept chronicling the adventures of a certain 'A Nexter Niode'. It is a sort of 21st century counterculture rock opus with 60's spirit ("tune out, turn on, take a trip" sort of thing). Their first album, "The Walkabout of A. Nexter Niode: Part 1 Off the Path", is the beginning of the journey.

The album is both musically and thematically very similar to PINK FLOYD's "The Wall": Erikson's moody vocals are eerily similar to Roger Waters', Roppoli's guitar licks sound much like Dave Gilmour's and the concept is just as ambitious. Despite these comparisons, however, the listener doesn't necessarily get the sense that the guys strive to be clones: although the guitar does take center stage on practically all tracks, Rappoli's fine play shows more than a passing resemblance to Gilmour's. As for the music, it's often much rockier than the FLOYD's, with shades of The TEA PARTY and a host of classic 70's prog influences. Overall, the album is well performed, produced and written. The CD packaging is also quite impressive - not a case of form over substance: the music is really a cut above the norm and the album quite an achievement for a first effort.

If you're a fan of PORCUPINE TREE or psychedelia in general, or simply a frustrated FLOYD enthusiast in search of more vibes, you should definitely look this album up.

: : : Lise (HIBOU), CANADA : : :