ELLIPSISM

3.5 stars. My rating really boils down to the fact I'm just not that into this recording even though I can't help but be impressed with this whole package. The cover art is so cool and she's one of three Bolivian ladies to grace the liner notes. All three pictures have been altered by an artist to excellent results. Every song on here is named after a female and the title "Ellipsism" is a term from a John Koenig book called "The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows" and it's a word that describes the sadness of the human life. Yes this is melancholic, experimental and modern(vocals and sound). And they are from Bolivia! I think there are three bands from that country on this site and I believe this is my only Bolivian recording. Isn't Bolivia where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid went to? I don't know much about that nation.

A rather large cast of musicians with 10 making up the band along with a two more guests bringing the total to 12. The band consists of a core trio who compose the music. This is quite experimental and while it can be powerful we get plenty of acoustic guitar and calm moments. The songs were recorded in the homes of the various musicians here and while the recording sounds good I wish there was more space and not that wall of sound that pops up at times where I have no idea what I'm hearing as the sounds mesh as one. There is no info in regards to the instruments in play I just know what I'm hearing at times and I also think with this being recorded in different members homes that it was more about who was available as most of these musicians are session guys.

There's not really a song that stands out for me, it's all good to varying degrees. And there is a conformity to the sound here which I like. Some horns can be heard at times but really it's the guitars, drums and the electronics which create atmosphere that dominate the sound. The vocals aren't my thing really but this is a minor complaint as they are of the modern variety and kind of whiney. So yeah disappointed that this didn't at least grow on me but of the three recordings I had playing this past week this was the one that left me wanting more.