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Krakatoa

"Togetherness"

DURP - eZine from the progressive ocean

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Krakatoa
"Togetherness"
2001, Etherdrag Records

Val Opielski - piano, guitar, bass, clavinet, organ, bongos, dumbek, cymbals, vocals
Glendon Jones - violins, organ, accordian, vocals
Ely Levin - drums, phaser keg, tambourine, shakers, triangle, vocals
Ted Casterline - bass, 6-string, baritone, acoustic guitars, synthesizers, percussion, vocals
guests:
Ben Freeman - cello, electric piano, indian drone box, vocals
Dave Brown - violin
Sarah Ferholt - trumpet, flugelhorn
  1. Abstract damage
  2. Cuckoo
  3. Bubbles and gurgles
  4. Modern #1
  5. Eggshells
  6. The messenger is sleeping
  7. The incredible world of Lady Miss Bug
  8. Modern #4
  9. Teenagers have failed
  10. Sword and sandal

  11. Gesamtspielzeit (total time): 49:55
 
Prologue / Vorab

KRAKATOA sind ein Quartett aus Philadelphia. Ihr erster Release, "Plan ahead" wurde 1999 veröffentlicht.

Rezension

Auch auf "Togetherness" steht instrumentaler Chamber-Prog auf dem Programm ... progressive Rock trifft auf klassische Einflüsse und Folk-Anleihen. Stilistisch reicht das Ganze von melancholischem TORI AMOS-Stil, swingendem Progfolk bis hin zu free-jazzigen/funkigen abgedrehten Passagen im Stile von KING CRIMSON. Aufgelockert wird die Geschichte durch gesangliche Einlagen (z.B. Cuckoo), abgedrehte Klassik sowie groovende Kurzeinlagen (Bubbles and gurgles). Modern #1 bereichert das Album um einen Percussion-Track. Eggshells ist eine leise und äußerst zerbrechliche Portion Musik mit fernöstlicher Percussion. The messenger is sleeping bringt sogar Trompete, US-folk und freakige Orgel-Gesangs-Kombinationen ins Spiel ... CUNEIFORM-Releases lassen grüßen.

 
Fazit

KRAKATOA haben das Talent, erfahrene Progfans zugleich zu fordern und einzuwickeln. Für meinen Geschmack ist der fordernde Anteil einen Tick zu dominant ... Instrumental-Progfans sollten sich KRAKATOA auf jeden Fall mal zu Gemüte führen.

Wertung: 6

Die CD gibt's u.a. bei:

email: info@etherdrag.com


Bitte erwähne bei einer eventuellen Bestellung, daß Dein Interesse von der DURP geweckt wurde.

Einen Link zur Homepage der Band findest Du in den DURP Links.

   
Summary

KRAKATOA are a four-piece from Philadelphia. Their first release was "Plan ahead", released in 1999. Their music can best be described as instrumental chamber-prog ... where progressive tunes meet classic and folk influences. The arrangements range from deeply melancholic TORI AMOS style, swinging progfolk, complicated free-jazzin'/proggin'/funkin' weird parts (reminding of KING CRIMSON) to melodic vocal intermezzos (Cuckoo), modern classic elements and grooving shortbits (Bubbles and gurgles). Of course you get short percussion tracks, too ... Modern #1. The track Eggshells is - as the name already says - a piece of primarily silent and fragile music and charming eastern percussion influences. The messenger is sleeping offers trumpet, groovin' bass lines, wide acoustic ranges, US-folk traditional touch and freakin organ/vocal-combinations (hey man, could be ska sometimes) ... a great and highly enjoyable track. You might have heard lots of similar music, especially thinking of the CUNEIFORM releases ... but KRAKATOA are a bit more "catchy" and much more sophisticated because they don't flood the listener with difficult stuff all the time ... KRAKATOA succeed in charming and challenging the instrumental prog maniac, although the challenging component is a bit too dominant for my taste (see: I'm not a instrumental prog maniac). 6 points

The CD can be obtained at (amongst others):

email: info@etherdrag.com


Don't forget to mention DURP.COM in case you order this CD somewhere !

A link to the website of the band can be found in the DURP Links.


© 02/2002 Markus Weis
DURP - eZine from the progressive ocean
http://www.durp.com/