Categories : Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 3.5 / 5 Reviewer: Trent Depue |
The addition of brass to any musical number can often create a make or break situation for that song. Many bands will use this to give a couple songs that added charm, whereas Vancouver’s Brasstronaut opts to liberally lay it on, and successfully at that. It might come as a surprise, though, that of the group’s six members, only one of the regulars actually contributes in this way – Bryan Davies’ trumpet and flugelhorn work that gives the band its unique name and much of its unique sound.
Mount Chimaera rides closely on the coattails of its predecessor, EP Old World Lies, even choosing to sample instrumental track ‘Fan on Same Same,’ and outright repeat another, as a rehashed version of eight minute long Old World Lies highlight ‘Insects’ brings the record to a close. Turning to completely original material, the record opens with what will end up being this debut LP’s strongest track, ‘Slow Knots,’ with other highlights that include ‘Hi Lo Hopes’ and ‘Ravan.’
Well orchestrated instrumentation is an obvious focal point for this band. A variety of unique sounds add to the overall feel of the record. Clarinet, lap steel, the unique EWI, and a half dozen guest musicians with additional strings and brass instruments compliment a strong vocal presence from lead man Edo Van Breemen. Bring it all together and Mount Chimaera succeeds in leaving a sense of anticipation in its listeners for what comes next.
