VIA LA MUSICA

Three years since disappointing debut 'Heavenicetrip' and Colorstar have moved the goalposts onto a different playing field with 'Via La Musica', from conventional trippy space rock to something much more modern, a very successful career decision culminating (to date) in 2004's superb 'Komfort'. The spacey hooks and jams are still there, but grounded on a bed-rock of what the band's own website describes as "experimental dance music strongly influenced by electronic pop, ethno- and world music" which sums it up pretty well really. In other words, solid Ozric Tentacles country but with an eastern twist to give them a distinct personality.

The result is a much stronger album than 'Heavenicetrip' with hooks that stick in the mind as well as grooves that get the muscles twitching. Apart from 'Waterfront' there isn't much vocal melody - that would come with the next album - but use of voices plays a significant part in the varied cocktail of sound, adding an extra layer of interest to the soundscapes. Indeed, 'Waterfront' is the only track that would conventionally be considered as a song with melody and melodic structure, though in itself the melody isn't particularly memorable.

'Via La Musica' gets off to a rather slow start. The constantly evolving 'Morning Call' is nice enough without really hitting the spot, and neither do the next pair of tracks. But then you get to four absolute beauties in a row. 'Aalomadalom' is a masterpiece of its type, a progressive piece with fat beefy hooks, lovely twangy Hank-Marvin-guitar, jams to die for and a thrilling finale that leaves you panting for more. Next up is the lively, eastern tinged 'Petite Adele' awash with acoustic instruments [including sitar], more twangy guitar and a strange little 'café-france' song near the end. 'Control The Moment' returns to a more straightforward techno-dance style, while 'Waterfront' heads more into space-psych territory that gets better the longer it goes on.

Overall, then, a mixed bag and a partial recommendation with four 'very good' to 'brilliant' tracks accompanied by four others that are a little less creditable. If you like the Ozrics modern approach to space-psych, then you should like Colorstar. 'Via La Musica would be a fair representation of their new style, but 'Komfort' is really the first one to go for.

Wow - this is good. 'Via la Musica' has rhythmic and even danceable music to offer - combining psychedelic and triphop proportions in a very special way. I like that. Korai Öröm's music is nearby sometimes - no wonder they are coming from the same origin and scene at Budapest. But COLORSTAR is not a simple copy at all by using ethno world music elements with loops and some hungarian folk snippets. The band has developed its own style mixed up with more electronic portions embedded in song structures with ups and downs, gradual increases and surprising changes.

Just to mention the opener Morning call starting in a psychedelic trance mood with synthesizer, sitar and then suddenly changing to uptempo triphop even bordering to drum & bass. Not to believe - it groooooves! Budapest Win-A-Trip and Hue & Cry on the other hand are nujazz and could reach for a place on a Cafe De Mar sampler without any problems. Aalomadalom follows provided with a tribal beat, floydy guitar and mouth organ - what a combination!

Control the Momentsounds like a reminiscence to the Korai Öröm style. The guitar is striking as always and arranging the psychedelic vibe which increases more and more 'til the end of the album. Waterfront is a very catchy song with standard drum work convincing me much.

Interesting colourful music - quasi contrary styles are formed as a unit which is really impressing. Not typical psych/space sounds as you might expect - first of all because of this special rhythm work. This album will rather change the atmosphere on your party and fill the dance floor at a late hour. Worth it to have a listen.

It is not often that I feel at a total loss for words but I have no idea how I am going to describe this album for you. At times it is world music, at others obviously eastern European, while others progressive, or is it pop? There are samples, music coming in at strange angles. Bits that don't make sense, but then again do, perfectly.

I attempted to listen to this initially while doing something else, but the something else failed miserably as I found my attention taken more and more by the music as I tried to work out what was going on. In the end I decided that I didn't have a clue but was going to enjoy it anyway.

Originally appeared in Feedback #65, Dec 01