The WALK And Other Stories
À Tant Rêver Du Roi, 2020
8/10
Listen to The WALK And Other Stories
A trio comprised of a pair of guitarists, Nicolas Lafourest and Olivier Mellano, the veteran musicians are joined by co-founder of The Ex, G.W. Sok, who handles vocal duties on this very unusual album.
“Pumpkin Head” starts the listen with talking before atmospheric guitars enter the mysterious equation, and “Response” follows with a more frantic storytelling template alongside noisey, jagged instrumentation.
Elsewhere, “Word” finds a more emotive place to reside with some chanting, while “Whisper” indeed simmers lightly with a gentle guitar and vocals that builds into an ominous setting. “The Boat”, one of the album’s best, then glides softly, reflective and with post-rock qualities.
At the end, “Memories” actually brings in some singing in the hypnotic post-punk, and “Frau Wilke” exits the listen with sonically hazy and soothing sounds amid engaging storytelling.
Based on a Robert Walser book of the same name, the 3 artists bring literature into a very iconoclastic delivery where psychedelic ideas are present alongside plenty of intricate guitar sounds, and, perhaps most importantly, much detail to atmosphere. I certainly haven’t heard anything like this before, and that’s a big part of its attraction.
Travels well with: Moss Icon- Lyburnum Wits End Liberation Fly; John Greaves- Life Size