NichelOdeon/InSonar: UKIYOE (Mondi Fluttuanti) (CD/DVD)

Italian singer Claudio Milano is the creative force behind the avant-garde bands NichelOdeon and InSonar. On his new creation UKIYOE the two bands have combined to make one of the strangest pieces of music I have ever heard.

Here, Milano has teamed with Paolo Siconolfi (sound design) and the Interactive Orchestra, featuring around thirty musicians. The disc touches on various genres like jazz, classical, opera and chamber music all with a heavy dose of the avant-garde. Let's just say the experimental tag is well earned.

Describing individual tracks is quite difficult as conventional songwriting has been thrown out the window. At times your ears will be assaulted by eerie sound effects giving the music a sinister feel. There will be more gentle moments as well, giving you time to recover from some of the more unsettling revelations. The orchestra is integral to the disc with various strings and wind instruments adding chaotic soundscapes and more gentle symphonies of sound. Drums and percussion is also used extensively. The timpani in "Fi(j)ùru d'Acqua" adds an element of cohesiveness to the overall darker and disordered chaos.

On some tunes there is a recognizable beat and groove only to be disturbed by strange vocalizations and off the wall instrumentation as in the ultra-strange "I Pesci dei tuoi Fiumi" where the operatic vocals eventually take over. Milano does have a unique and amazing voice and doesn't hesitate to use all of his considerable range throughout the CD.

One of my favourite parts is the vocal arrangement in "Marinaio", especially when combined with strings and harmonium. Harmonium shows up a lot throughout the disc and does add a bit of warmth among the more unconventional sounds.

The DVD is a short film by Francesco Paolo Paladino. The twenty-five minute film is set to the music found on the CD. Like the accompanying music this is an avant-garde piece about four people spending time on an island after their boat was forced to dock. Besides some narration this is a silent piece, inundated with surrealism and weird symbolism. A kind of examination of the human condition. Perhaps it is me, but I had a hard time with it. I found the tension in the music didn't quite mesh with the film. Maybe I've watched too many Michael Bay movies.

I appreciate the talent, time and effort that went into UKIYOE and while there are some nice moments I am still unsure about where this music takes me. This is a difficult listen but if you liked their previous effort Bath Salts, the new album will be worth a look. An understanding of avant-garde music in general will certainly be of value if you decide to take the plunge.

Track Listing:
CD
1. Veleno (Poison) (6:35)
2. Fi(j)ùru d'Acqua (Flower/Son of Water) (4:52)
3. Marinaio (Sailor) (9:06)
4. Ohi Mà – Nel Mare che hai Dentro (Oh Mother! – Inside the Sea you Hold)(2:00)
5. I Pesci dei tuoi Fiumi (The Fish of your Rivers) (4:02)
6. MA(r)LE (Sea/Evil) (19:18)

DVD
Quickworks & Deadworks (short film)

Added: March 1st 2015
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1784
Language: english

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