La fin du Monde: Life As It Should Be

Mike Crew and Josh Kinsey (bass), Dan Elsen (drums) and Chris Roberts (guitar) are supplemented by string arrangements in this, La fin du Monde's debut full album (there was an e.p. in 2005). In keeping with a band which has its roots in 2003 and 4 years experience of writing and playing adventurous instrumental postrock/progressive music, this album has a professional 'finished' feel to it.

Stylistically, bands such as Tortoise, the Red Sparowes or Mogwai would be good comparators for the atmospheric, slow building, repetitive riff-based compositions which appear here. However where they depart from that style is their ability to break out regularly from the indie riff pattern to create added textures, polyrhythms and highlights which take the music in a number of other interesting directions.

Moving almost imperceptibly from track to track, the listener is taken on a voyage of undulating, guitar driven sequences, interspersed with sideways development within the framework of the songs and atmospheric layers of sound. Occasional hints of King Crimson can be found, especially in the more aggressive works such as "Castle Greyskull". We aren't hit with ambitious solos or symphonic highlights but a steady building and dismantling of structure with good hooks and memorable, mesmeric arrangements.

In the aptly named studio, The Hatchery, the band have captured a fair live version of their approach on track 6. A good debut from a band with a modern approach and a lot of promise.

Track Listing
1. The brutal chicken divide
2. We don't necessarily like Paul
3. Castle greyskull
4. The foolish fire
5. Nascar Santa Claus
6. Improv – the hatchery
7. The ill effects of gravity
8. I didn't mean to

Added: October 15th 2007
Reviewer: Richard Barnes
Score:
Related Link: More Information
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Language: english

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