Mats/Morgan: Schack Tati

Morgan Ågren and Mats Öberg are a force to be reckoned with without a shadow of a doubt. When they apply their sonic chicanery you know that you are in for the ride of your life, that you are going to be challenged and that it is not going to be an easy journey. There is no doubt that both these gentlemen have virtuosic skill, both knowing their chosen instruments inside out. As do the other members who contribute to this album, Jimmy Agren, Robert Elovsson and Tommy Tordsson.

Their approach at times can come across as a melee, a tumult of fractious noise, a sound that can be ill-natured, disagreeable to the ear. Schack Tati is their first album in a number of years. This is definitely not an album that one will get straight away, this is an album that needs to be nurtured, where the listener will need a prolonged association to understand or come to terms with what is going on. On hearing this album you are left under no illusions of who has been involved, their musical signatures are recorded all over the twelve tracks presented.

As ever we see the band present progressive rock, jazz fusion, experimental rock and electronica in a smorgasbord of astute dynamics. Zappa has been a heavy influence in their lives and is something that is obvious in their creations although they have put their own twist on this approach. The standout tracks are the atmospheric Mr Piccand, the fast paced Rappel and the off kilter and robotic DJ Festisov.

If you like complex, melodic prog rock in the vein of Zappa's Jazz From Hell, then this is an album for you. If not tread carefully

Track List:
1. Rubber Sky
2. Walk Here
3. The Swedes
4. Mr Piccand
5. Rappel
6. Dracul od Nancy
7. Tati Bake
8. DJ Fetisov
9. Vinyl and Pusherman
10. The Curse of Knowledge
11. Russian Tourists Not in Line
12. Schack Tati

Added: October 12th 2014
Reviewer: John OBoyle
Score:
Related Link: www.morganagren.com
Hits: 1849
Language: english

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