Aksak Maboul (avant from Belgium) |
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avestin
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625 |
Topic: Aksak Maboul (avant from Belgium) Posted: March 14 2008 at 22:46 |
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AKSAK MABOUL
Another typically Belgian oddity/weirdness in the RIO mould or Canterbury, this group managed two highly experimental albums in the late 70's before becoming the HONEYMOON KILLERS. They were led by keyboard man Marc Hollander and had never a stable line-up. In the second album Fred Firth and Chris Cutler both ex- HENRY COW joined and it terms of strangeness of the music developed, this fits well.
Only for fans of extreme music. : : : Hugues Chantraine, BELGIUM : : : PA reviews of their two albums:
Latest AKSAK MABOUL Music ReviewsAKSAK MABOUL — Un Peu De L'Âme Des Bandits
Review by king volta (Ben Hagy) If I were asked to define what exactly "Rock-In Opposition" was and sounded like, I would do two things: I would first think of a clear, concise definition of what the movement represented, and list a few bands that partook in the movement. Alongside of this, I would compile a mix-album of RIO music--or at least that's what I would've done. Things have changed after hearing Aksak Maboul's "Un Peu De L'Ame Des Bandits", and the group has actually made my life a bit easier (or would if ever I had to define the RIO movement), for this album alone stands to me as the epitome of what exactly this "RIO" business is. The album kicks off with some Can-esque music and some eclectic vocal work on "A Modern Lesson", and later we are treated to some very unique piano work alongside some interesting horn and percussion work. This song alone is enough to make many turn their heads in shame--I can only imagine the reaction if this song were to come on over a loudspeaker in an American high school or on the jukebox at a pool hall (I'll have to try it one day...) We are then treated to several tracks of eclectic, playful, full-out RIO music full of twists, turns, drops, assaults, and other mishaps. The entire album comes off as one long-winded joke--but at least it's a good one. Some of the better highlights, besides the opening track include the entirety of the ballad-y (and closest to "normal") second track "Palmiers En Pots", as well as most of the swirling vortex that is "I Viaggi Formano La Gioventú" (track 4)...then of course there's "Cinema", the highlight track of the album, which spans some 23 minutes. We are treated to ten or so minutes of experimental noise from woodwinds until the song picks up around 11 minutes with some extremely out-there guitar, piano, and percussion work--this song sounds like a mind going insane...what's great about it is, after the topsy-turvy first 25 minutes or the album, this song comes in to treat us with an on-edge break, before climaxing in a devilish swirl of oddities. The song continues in an odd manner, pausing for some nice, soft piano work now and then, before swirling to a close and ending in the same manner that it began, but in a much more chaotic manner... The album ends on an unsettling note with "Age Route Brra", which begins with some MORE odd percussion and other odd noises (that's really what the album is: an assortment of organized, odd, fanciful, and immensely entertaining noises), before ending in a way reminiscent to the way it began. It's a fun feast, and we're all invited... This album is deeply recommended for those who want an extreme look at the RIO movement in a few fun doses, as well as for fans of RIO that have not heard it yet. Other than that, I'd say it would probably be a bit too eclectic for fans of more modern prog to enjoy in much of a great extent. Either way, it comes deeply recommended from me. 4 stars, and more like 4.5. Posted Saturday, December 15, 2007, 16:10 EST AKSAK MABOUL — Un Peu De L'Âme Des Bandits
Review by rileydog22 (Jake) Collaborator Zeuhl/RIO/Avant Team Aksak Maboul's debut was, in my opinion, a near-masterpiece. The Rock-In-Opposition movement (which was at the time a collective of five avant-garde bands) thought so as well, and Aksak ended up being one of the three bands added onto the original movement. Unfortunately, though, the RIO boys couldn't leave well enough alone. The duo which produced Onze Danses soon found itself flooded with musicians from other bands in the movement; Chris Cutler, Fred Frith, and Michel Berckmans quickly displaced the Hollander-Kenis duo which had produced the first album. With the change in musicians came a change in sound; the quirky and unique mixture of ethnic and non-ethnic influences was drowned, and we were left with a somewhat stereotypical RIO album; strange chord progressions, unusual instruments, and mixtures of genres are present, but in a far less inspired fashion than by the original and inspired duo. While there are more than enough moments of RIO joy to satisfy a fan of the genre, there are also many spots that seem to lack inspiration. Closer to 3.5 stars than it is to 3, this album will be welcome in the collection of a Rock-in-Opposition fan. But do yourself a favor and pick up the debut as well. Posted Monday, November 26, 2007, 22:49 EST AKSAK MABOUL — Onze Danses Pour Combattre La Migraine
Review by rileydog22 (Jake) Collaborator Zeuhl/RIO/Avant Team Mark Hollander and Vincent Kenis--overdubbing massively and assisted by a small army of session players--produce a wonderful "dog's breakfast" of music, covering a vast spectrum on this album; everything from various regions' ethnic music to "fake" jazz to proto-techno is covered. Each is twisted, spun, flipped, and combined with other types of music to create a classic of the avant-prog genre. Most of the pieces are well written, but there are a few pieces that drag. However, these tracks are short and quite excusable on a 17-track album. Ultimately, this is a quite well-written effort which should be enjoyable to fans of the genre. After all, he quality, variety, and uniqueness of this album was considered to be of a high enough caliber for the band to be included in the RIO movement. If you aren't an RIO fan, however, this would probably not be the best introduction. Posted Friday, August 10, 2007, 12:53 EST AKSAK MABOUL — Onze Danses Pour Combattre La Migraine
Review by Black Velvet (Apsalar Rütter) Special Collaborator Zeuhl/RIO/Avant Team hen the average admirer considers the tenuous links between Rock in Opposition acts, their thoughts predictably lie with the dissonant and often loopy sounds of Univers Zero, Henry Cow and SMM. So one night, while enjoying my 61st experience of Univers Zeros' catalogue played in chronological order (also pondering over the recent breakdown of a fledgling romantic relationship), I decided to check out Aksak Maboul, over which my friend had been raving (prophetically for me). Posted Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 05:09 EST AKSAK MABOUL — Un Peu De L'Âme Des Bandits
Review by avestin (Assaf Vestin) Special Collaborator Zeuhl/RIO/Avant Team Calling a band Maboul (French slang for crazy, nutty) creates certain expectations. And this album does hold up to them. The result might be called Ethnic-Noise-Chamber-Rock. This album alternates between the bizarre (A Modern Lesson) and the obscure (I Viaggi Formano La Gioventu) with the many oriental/arab sounds in some of the tracks and the classical instrumentation in others. I love the opening track for its disharmonic and contrasts between the female vocals and the instruments. The oriental sounds here add a great flavour to the music alongside the punk in several songs and the chamber-rock in others. Inoculating Rabies is a sort of post-punk track with its noisy guitars on the one hand which sound as if they were a bit far away from the microphones and the wind instruments (bassoon and oboe) which are more in the front of the music. The combination which may seem at first to not go together is actually working quite well, as do all other weird instrumental combinations in other tracks such as Bosses De Crosses. The 23 minutes Cinema starts as an abstract piece and then by ~6:00 gets into a more formed shape and becomes a chamber rock piece, and as it develops it brings in more elements into it. The end result is an eclectic album filled with very different styles that are put together and sound (to me) very good when played alongside. If you are a fan of RIO and the weird and avant-garde forms of music, then this album is for you. This receives 4 stars from me. It is a good album, which I enjoy tremendously. Maybe not the most essential RIO record, but it is worthwhile getting it nonetheless, it will enrich your prog collection. Posted Friday, September 01, 2006, 13:37 EST Edited by avestin - March 14 2008 at 22:47 |
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Leningrad
Forum Senior Member Joined: August 15 2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 7991 |
Posted: March 14 2008 at 22:51 | |
I picked up Onze Danses Pour Combattre La Migraine some time ago, but I haven't given it a good sit-down listen yet. Sounds great so far.
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Philéas
Forum Senior Member Joined: June 14 2006 Status: Offline Points: 6419 |
Posted: March 15 2008 at 10:23 | |
Both albums are very good, though I slightly prefer Un Peu de l'Âme des Bandits.
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Man With Hat
Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166178 |
Posted: March 15 2008 at 19:34 | |
Mmm...interestring sounding.
Albums are really expensive though.
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Dig me...But don't...Bury me
I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
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Logan
Forum & Site Admin Group Site Admin Joined: April 05 2006 Location: @ wicker man Status: Offline Points: 32658 |
Posted: March 16 2008 at 02:23 | |
I really like what I've heard of Aksak Maboul, and have been meaning to get the albums for quite some time. Good reminder!
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Just a fanboy passin' through.
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oracus
Forum Senior Member Joined: December 12 2005 Location: Greece Status: Offline Points: 497 |
Posted: March 16 2008 at 13:34 | |
Incredible band! Just incredible. For me, they are the definition of Avant-prog.
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Indus
Forum Newbie Joined: April 19 2008 Location: Prague Status: Offline Points: 1 |
Posted: April 19 2008 at 05:44 | |
Anyone knows belgians X-Legged Sally? Really great avant band!! I recommend their third album The Land of the Giant Dwarfs.
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Indus
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Philéas
Forum Senior Member Joined: June 14 2006 Status: Offline Points: 6419 |
Posted: April 19 2008 at 10:33 | |
Of X-Legged Sally's albums I prefer the first and second ones. The live album Fired is good too. The Land of the Giant Dwarfs didn't do much for me.
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The Hemulen
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: July 31 2004 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 5964 |
Posted: April 20 2008 at 18:17 | |
"A Modern Lesson" (the opening track on Un Peu de L'Ame Des Bandits) is, for me, just about the best song that has ever been written ever ever ever. The rest of that album never quite lives up to the promise of that delightful track for me, but I think that's largely down to how utterly frothingly delerious with joy it makes me. Very little music can compete, for me. Is anyone else as remotely into that song as I am, or are my priorities and tastes a little too skewed?
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laplace
Prog Reviewer Joined: October 06 2005 Location: popupControl(); Status: Offline Points: 7606 |
Posted: April 20 2008 at 18:26 | |
No, you're right, that song is positively neato. =) I think we have that song to blame for Thinking Plague. but don't you think Cinema from the same album is just as wonderful? It's the reason I prefer the second album. |
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The Hemulen
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: July 31 2004 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 5964 |
Posted: April 21 2008 at 17:49 | |
Cinema is a great achievement indeed and certainly not to be casually dismissed, but I find it doesn't always hold my attention as much as I'd like it to. I'm finding more and more these days that I don't quite have the patience for 'epic' tracks unless they really suck me in and keep on gripping. This might be because I've been too busy to devote as much time to listening to music as I used to, or perhaps it's a more permenant shift in my tastes. Who can say? Still, I reckon you're spot on about A Modern Lesson and Thinking Plague! I wonder if they ever considered covering it? That's a thing I'd love to hear... |
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VanderGraafKommandöh
Prog Reviewer Joined: July 04 2005 Location: Malaria Status: Offline Points: 89372 |
Posted: April 21 2008 at 17:54 | |
Also check out Catherine Jauniaux's 1983 album (with Tim Hodgkinson of Henry Cow) "Fluvial" and of course, The Hat Shoes' two albums, which also feature her on vocals.
Good stuff indeed! |
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