Au Diable Vert
Circum Disc, 2022
8/10
The guitarist, bassist and percussionist René Lussier brings some different noise makers to the guitar quintet, and it makes for an improvisational experience where each track finds its own unique place to reside.
“13e Séance” opens the listen with crisp drums, diverse guitar playing and trombone from Alain Trudel, as both calm and furious bouts make for an exciting climate, and “Western o Pode” follows with a very thick, cinematic quality that is quite mysterious yet soulful.
“Barré” arrives in the middle, and benefits from scattered voices thanks to Koichi Makigami amid Luzio Altobelli’s cozy accordion, while “Dindon Assassin” rumbles with a unique charm that also recruits dreamy marimba into the album’s best.
Approaching the end, “Cinq Accords Pour Takashi” is a bit hazy and benefits from Takashi Harada’s Ondes Martenot in the minimalistic demeanor, and “Dans Tentaculaire” exits with a very full and artistic, nearly carnival-esque presence that spotlights Robbie Kuster’s drumming and Chris Culter’s voice.
A record that used digital correspondence for the early stages before entering a studio, Lussier’s adventurous vision and esteemed help make for an unclassifiable and fascinating experience.
Travels well with: TOC- Did It Again; Adoct- Ouvre-Glace