LIVENTURES, ETC

You know, there's always a difference between studio recordings and live experiences - and this especially applies to the band VESPERO which is hailing from the Russian province Astrakhan. Man! Delivered as the satellite release only(!) to the regular albums 'Subkraut: U-Boats Willkommen Hier' and 'Droga', this one, while brimfull of delicate live cuts, turns out to be their masterpiece, when it comes to me. Although there's not any applause or other audience activity to notice, it evidently captures them on the stage, performing favourite covers, alternative samples of some of their compositions, and even new songs. Which finally means, all the tracks, respectively versions you can listen to, are previously unreleased without any exception.

Since they have ten experienced years in the back now, let me state how prolific and multifaceted the foursome is in the meanwhile! This for a first summary, until it goes into some details straight ahead. 'What is considered a drug rather than a food varies between cultures ...' - that may describe the band's mystic aura. Droga represents the title track of their newest studio album, which is lyrically and musically inspired by visions of their homeland, and again holds traces of Southern Russia's ethnic music. And so this electronic beat, caused by Arkady Fedotov's synthesizer I'm quite sure, might be something derivative, operates like a hypnotic mantra all the way through. A gripping affair, while additonally decorated with Ivan Fedotov's brushes as well as a noteworthy melancholic collaboration, contributed by Alexander Kuzovlev's space guitar and Alexey Klabukov's synthesizer. A fantastic entry to this song collection, simple as that!

Deeply inspired by the 60/70's German subculture The Strangest Thing In The Ocean is taken from the 2012 'Subkraut' release ... and it only get's better ... Rudolf Sosna of FAUST fame originally wrote the song Jennifer at the Oxfordshire Manor House studio in 1973, straightaway after they had a somewhat impressing encounter with a red-haired country girl. Okay, as is known lyrics are quite simple, however musically the VESPERO interpretation comes with a new fantastic livery, where they are able to cover the song's original gorgeousness as well as weirdness, but also modify this affair a bit according to their own musical approach. So Jennifer, aka Elena Belozyorova, marks a short intervention and the original whacked piano outro is substituted by a way more crazy electronical attack.

Well, now step by step, you're getting clues, how multi-varied drummer Ivan Fedotov is navigating through the songs. Clouds appears with flute and melodica support, it's the rhythm branch first and foremost which serves a strong trip hop/new jazz touch. On the second Faust cover J'Ai Mal Aux Dents I can hear two wonderfully complementing guitars, which leads to the assumption that this one steps out of line, might be a studio product probably, overdubs inclusive. But wait - two guitars - this is at least regularly reserved for the last avantgarde styled song Tanz - guest musician Alexander Chuvakov from the band Kalutaliksuak is aboard here, which you will immediately recognize when you're familiar a bit with the creme de la creme of Russian prog.

Finally it only remains to mention another extraordinary excerpt from the new 'Droga' album - Oboo features a halting behaviour, again the regular bass guitar is substituted by a repetitive electronic beat - somewhat far-away this shows extraordinary space guitar and swirling synths.There you are - irresistible modern kraut and ethno flavoured space rock - equipped with a proper amount of electronical stuff and some successful vocal parts - making a lot of fun.in any case. Though not having heard the new album 'Droga' in total yet (which may house some new surprises probably) 'Liventures, etc' already blows me away really. A prolific and entertaining collection which deserves the highest rating.