Rue Du Poisson Noir
Waveshaper, 2021
9/10
The veteran synth wizard and former Pere Ubu member Allen Ravenstine finishes his The Tyranny Of Fiction project with Rue Du Poisson Noir, where this 4th piece of the journey bridges avant-garde and electronic exploration with jazz nods in attendance.
“Doff Downie Woot” starts the listen with frisky percussive sounds and spoken word from Windsor King, as a busy landscape builds with both electronic and acoustic noisemakers on hand, and “Open Season” follows with hypnotic keys, animal like yelping and sci-fi friendly electronics to highlight the ultra creative climate.
Approaching the middle, the precise guitar manipulation and thumping drum of “Brothers Grimm” seem suited for a horror flick in the future, while “Time & Tide” relies on Victor Hugo Morales Avilán’s sublime piano prowess for the gentle album standout. The title track then showcases Issar Shulman’s agile bass plucking amid the jazz friendly saxophone from William Schrade.
Deeper still, “Wireless” offers a playful beat that aligns with the upbeat brass that’s as lively as it is infectious, and “Bossa Nova” continues with minimalism turned into an art form that’s rhythmic, glitchy and charming in an iconoclastic sort of way.
A truly exceptional listening experience, The Tyranny Of Fiction consists of Electron Music, Shore Leave, Nautilus and Rue Du Poisson Noir, and collectively they illuminate Ravenstine’s inestimable and unconventional approach to songwriting that could never sit comfortably in a single genre, and we’re all better off for that.
Travels well with: Allen Ravenstine- Electron Music; Allen Ravenstine- Nautilus