REVELATOR

There was a gap of four years between their fifth and sixth studio albums, with 'Revelator' coming out in 2011. By this time there had been a total change in the band, with only keyboard player Ivan Rozmainsky left of the musicians who were involved in the previous work. It was at this point that the band really started to spread their wings, as they moved away from the trio to a quintet of Vladimir Efimov (guitars), Vladislav Korotkikh (flutes, whistle), Philip Semenov (drums, percussion) Vladimir Semenov-Tyan-Shansky (bass) and Rozmainsky, along with additional musicians providing cello, flute, shakuhachi, viola, bassoon, trumpet and flugelhorn. While still playing music inspired by both classical and RIO, based around the keyboards, there were now more complex dynamics and layering of sounds.

Using a real drummer also added to a difference in the overall sound, although it must be said that I am not a great fan of the production of that, as there are times when it sounds as if Semenov is hitting a box as opposed to a drum, but he is definitely adding a more driving force to the sound. The strong use of woodwind, especially when combined with electronica, such as on "Underfrog", is inspired and quite different to anything else I have come across. I can only describe the introduction as if I were listening to bubbles of sound that kept popping in my ears. Early Kraftwerk has been an inspiration on this album, as has of course Art Zoyd with whom Ros Vitalis have quite an affinity, while Can have also had their part to play. There is a real depth here, with the unusual choice of instruments and arrangements combining to make something that is incredibly compelling, melodic and enjoyable.