DOWSING ANEMONE WITH COPPER TONGUE

Kayo Dot is a New York based avant-garde rock and experimental metal group which formed in 2003 after several members left Toby Driver's previous project, Maudlin of the Well. Kayo Dot has been subject to several line-up changes, although the only constant member is Toby Driver on bass, lead vocals, guitar, clarinet and keyboards. 'Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue', combines a more avant and less metal overall sound, and features over an hour of guitar based compositions with less frontal vocals and a higher emphasis on atmospheric textures and avant-garde playing. This is my first exposure to Kayo Dot's music. Here are my impressions of compositions presented on this record:

1. Gemini Becoming the Tripod (10:43). Quiet start followed by instrumental outbreak (with imitaton of a buildup) and then we get an atmospheric section (which is established with help of violin and intricate percussion) with eerie vocals. The screaming approach is unsettling (sometimes a bit annoying), the composition is very angular, even abrasive, awkward at some points, which is not an unusual thing for this subgenre of prog. (6,5/10)

2. Immortelle and Paper Caravelle (9:42). As the first track, this starts quietly. The tempo is slow, moody(almost melodic) moments are present. The vocals are delicate (perhaps too delicate for my taste). There is a very prominent minimalistic nature in this composition. (6/10)

3. Aura on an Asylum Wall (7:44). Starts with a spooky pattern and spoken words with some instrumental modifications here and there. Next up we get prominent trumpet and violin melodies on top with guitar and bass accompaniment with quite diverse percussion. Distorted bass from 7th minute till the end. This seems like the most consistent composition on the album. (8/10)

4. ___ On Limpid Form (18:00). This epic begins with almost random guitar strumming followed by vocals with some choir addition. Nice guitar-violin interplay near 3 minute mark, trumpet is a good touch. What comes next is a section of disconnected chords of distorted guitar and drums, containing pauses of silence. It continues till the end of this composition. There's not a lot (interesting) happening here compositionally. I have to say that this track might not be the choice for an active listening, because it isn't very good in holding your attention throughout all of it's length, so it may seem dull and uninspiring. (6/10)

5. Amaranth the Peddler (14:07). Again, it starts in a very minimalistic manner. No hints of melodies just sheer dissonance. Toby's vocals vere present for 2 minutes. The signs of buildup could be heard when guitars and double bass gradually come in, with different noises made by horns, violin. Ambiance and anticlimactic ending to this album are achieved, I guess. (6/10)

'Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue' is definitely not an easy listen. At one point the music requires all of your attention, on the other hand some of it resembles background noise. The inventive factor is present, there were no hints of replication (at least I didn't hear any), so this album is worth listening. I just wished it had a bigger amount of structure in these compositions.