THE HYLOZOISTS

This Canadian band called "The Hylozoists" released their third effort a couple of years ago (2009) being their latest album to date, I really hope a new one comes soon. The band has suffered changes in their line-up, however the sound prevails, and that can be appreciated in this cool album called "L'Ile de Sept Villes", which features ten compositions and a total time of 40 minutes of cool soft post rock.

It starts with "The Possibility of an Island" which is a nice electronic introduction to the album. The sound is soft and relaxed, but prepare for action. "Bras D'or Lakes" starts softly with piano and drums, the sound increases while the seconds pass and other instruments appear, creating that so charming sound that The Hylozoists create. This song is actually beautiful, the violins and string sounds addition is wonderful to the already beautiful sound.

"The Island of Seven Cities" has some kind of addictive clappie sound which is kindly accompanied by drums, xylophone and then the (I don't know if the keyboards create the string instruments sound, or if they are the instruments themselves) string sound. Once again, they've managed to create a charming atmosphere that anyone can enjoy. I like it a lot.

"Bubbles & Whezzy" has electric guitars with a kind of western sound, and later the other instruments join the club and turn the song into a Hylozoists one. Though you may say their songs are repetitive, I believe their essence follows that path, sometimes repetition is not that bad, much less when the songs are unique, though the sound may be alike. "Dark Scene Waltz" has everything but darkness, but it is cool and ironic to see some of the titles, and then associate them with the music.

"Your band doesn't have the legs I thought it would" What a curious name. The music is pretty interesting, repetitive if you wish, but full of colors and textures. The keyboard sound is hypnotic, guitars, piano and drums always helping with that cool atmosphere, and then the rest of the elements (instruments) that join create a complete and powerful track. "Parents don't let your Children grow up to be Compressed" is another creative, dynamic and interesting composition that will please the followers of mellow, beautiful and gentle music, no matter if you really like post rock or not.

"The French settle in" is a shorter track that reminded me a little bit to the famous Amelie movie. "Acadia Acadia" is different, with acoustic guitar and synth as background, a nice combination of acoustic and electronic things. And "Soixante-Sept" finishes the album. I can say their sound is pretty consistent, from one album to another they maintain a line, it is evident that them all (former and actual members) are talented and have the creativity necessary to create cool and original music.

I am happy with this discovery. They might not be the most amazing band ever, but their music has something to tell you, and should be appreciated. Don't ask me about the progressiveness (we are in a progressive rock site), but well, you may like it, especially if you have the arms open for the softest side of post rock. My final grade is three stars.

Enjoy it!

We know that country has shared to the world an impressive amount of post-rock bands, the clearest example has to be GY!BE of course, but know I bring The Hylozoists to your attention. I am actually surprised nobody has reviewed their albums, but it is moment to change that. This band was formed back in 2001 and so far has released three interesting albums.

"La Nouvelle Gauche" is the title of their second effort, released in 2007 and composed of eleven tracks and a total time of 37 minutes approx, the songs are relatively short, ranging from 2 to 4 minutes average. This instrumental band offers a charming sound that anyone can listen and more important, enjoy. The album opens with "The Hylozoists", curious to see the band's name as the title of the first song. It has a pretty cool sound which is far from being conventional; I like a lot the use of percussions here.

"New Realms of Vibration Translation" has a pretty similar sound as the opener, but here the rhythm is slower, but seconds later the sound increases and creates a nice atmosphere. A couple of minutes later a nice slide guitar sounds here and there, along with cool synth effects that create a charming sound. "The People is Never Corrupt" is pretty cool, the music contrasts with the song's title, I believe it is like an irony. Once again the percussion instruments caught my attention, they are great.

"Parisian Eyes" is an excellent short track that starts softly and increases little by little, adding different musical elements and figures that make it a rich track, in spite of its shortness. "The Crippled Giant" maintains that charming sound, actually the music this band offers shares almost all the time a sense of tranquility and even happiness. The post rock feeling is evident, though they don't actually sound like those big post rock names such as GY!BE or EitS, not at all, The Hylozoists sound is pretty original, and good.

"The Iron Chef" is one of my favorite tracks. I have a big smile and feel pleased, relaxed while listening to it. The synthesizer effects are always great, creating those atmospheres that at the same time share those feelings to the listener. A thing I liked is that the next track entitled "Details @ Five" makes me think like it is the second part of the song, I mean they perfectly get on well together, the sound is alike, so what it provokes on me.

With "Red Bird Wishes" I imagine myself lying on a beach, enjoying the sun and the view of the sea. This is a delicious short track. "Street of Crocodiles" has actually put images of crocodiles in my mind, ha ha, funny but real. The keyboard work here is splendid, and the always precise drums sound help a lot creating that cool atmosphere on this song.

"Permeability" starts with a louder noise for around ten seconds, but later it turns gentler. The acoustic guitar sound adds a nice texture, and then a kind of nervous noise appears, I imagine that sound used as a foreground of a witch nightmare. The last track is called "Reprise", it is short, with that charming sound that sums up The Hylozoists sound.

Very interesting band, as I mentioned, it is not the conventional post rock band, their sound is really soft, charm and original. If you like the heavy side of post rock, then stay away from this, but on the other hand, I recommend you this album, and this band. My final grade is three stars.

Enjoy it!