REVELATOR

The early, more experimental-oriented stuff of the instrumental Russian act Roz Vitalis really isn't for me. And once again, after reviewing Compassionzer (2007), I'm a bit disappointed for this album not to resemble more notably the excellent, finely produced Lavoro d'Amore (2015). I can repeat my thoughts on slightly hollow sound, playful but rather nonsense keyboard-centred compositions and the overall direction for the better. First, the list of five musicians looks better than how the album actually sounds. This is to say that keyboard player and main composer Ivan Rozmainsky keeps the spotlight too much on himself, ie. the arrangements still leave guitars, flutes and rhythm section way too much in the background. Or is it just amateurish production that makes the sound somewhat cold?

The opening title track is a typical slice of RV: lots of changes in tempo without the certain flow. The music feels like a backing for an avantgardish silent film of slapstick. 'Warm Tuesday' starts as a pretty, moody tune in which acoustic and electric guitars play softly, and wanders into the more eclectic direction. The Finnish album Ultramarine (2000) by GROOVECTOR comes to my mind, but Roz Vitalis's music lacks the similar symphonically structured, natural flow. The next track is nothing but that hollow-sounding organ quirkiness. 'Painsadist (Hit Version)' has a humorous title but although the rest of the band is well involved, the track gives nothing to me. 'Underfrog': flute and bass have their nice supporting roles in this cold, swampy silliness. Delicate 'Midwinter Tulips' starring piano and acoustic guitar is a highlight and a breath of fresh air, and it's short enough not to suddenly shift into the typical RV style.

Perhaps the album gets better towards the end and slightly increases the emotional substance in melodies, but for my taste there's still too much of that slapstick flavour around. The closing track 'Silver Melting' is another ambience-oriented moody highlight. For the most part this album remains quite meaningless to me, but I can recommend it to avant-minded listeners who are less emotionally oriented than me.