Ann Bernath - Vocals Drums
David Bernath - Guitar bass guitar
Rick Whitehurst - Pianos keyboards
Influences
Here is our Debut album and it is called "ERIS". It is avilable for sale NOW at cdbaby.com and most .99 cent music downloaders.
Sounds Like
Satie, Doors, Hawkwind, King Crimson, Keith tippett, John Wetton, Sun Ra, Eric Dolphy, Van Der Graf generator, Procol harum, Joan Baez, Carly Simon, Robert Fripp, Emmylou Harris, David Bowie, Stranglers, Peter Gabriel, David Byrne & talking Heads, DEVO, Yoko, Sean & Julian, Irene Krall, Humble Pie, Zappa, Amon Duul II, Spirits burning, Gang of 4, WIRE,
Some would claim nothing new is happening in music. Others (myself included) are forced to wonder whether such people are living under a rock. Whatever genre of music you like, there are artists pushing its boundaries, but by far the most interesting modern acts are those who are truly doing something beyond any established genre boundaries. There are not many in this latter category, but what few there are, are uniformly excellent (among those I know, at least). And - cue fanfare – Baku Llama is among that group.
Their music is comprised of just three major elements: drums/percussion, guitar, and keyboards, but they create a richly textured soundscape marked by jazzy keyboards in the forefront, Glenn Branca style guitar providing textures (and occasionally joining the keys in the forefront), and soft but interesting beats that propel the music forward. It doesn’t seem revolutionary on paper, but when these sounds actually come together on Eris, the sound itself is unique. As Valdez (who sent me the CD) said when I informed him that I had received Eris, “I think you will agree that it is quite different if nothing else.” As it happens, I agree that it is quite a bit different, and much more - Eris isn’t just “different,” it’s fantastic.
In general, the quality of all the songs is very consistently good, with a few songs standing out as especially strong. My favorites are “Hamatsa,” “Side Two,” and “Six to Midnight,” all of which showcase the jazz-keys, Branca-guitar, driving-percussion/drums trio I mentioned before, using the combination to create tension and keep the listener riveted. “Six to Midnight” is particularly intense, with the drums holding steady as the guitar pulses in and out and the keyboards go absolutely haywire, perpetually building up to a climax that is the most captivating moment on the CD. The only other standout track is “Betrayed,” which is one of three vocal tracks on the CD. While “Betrayed” works really well, mixing powerful female vocals with the instrumental background I’ve described, the two other vocal tracks are less effective. “Eris” is, musically, one of the most interesting on the CD, but the spoken vocals feel out of place and detract from the power of actual music. I still love it because of the music, but when I listen, I always wonder what it would be like if it were instrumental. “This Time,” on the other hand, is perhaps the sole weak spot of the CD, straying from their established style into more conventional pop/rock territory. While still interesting, it feels out of place on the CD, in part because of the stylistic differences, but also in part because it just doesn’t feel “different,” as the rest of Eris does.
That said, one average (for it’s not bad at all) song doesn’t ruin what is otherwise a phenomenal CD. Hopefully, future releases, will see Baku Llama improving (not that they’ve got far left to go) and producing a masterpiece. Should they leave behind vocals altogether (or at least stay closer to “Betrayed,” letting the vocals complement – rather than drive – the music) and focus on honing their tremendous ability to engage listeners instrumentally, I could easily see them returning with a masterpiece. And I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it sounded nothing like Eris. After all, coming from Baku Llama, it’s sure to be “different.” Wherever they go from Eris, however, will not change that Eris itself ranks among the strongest CDs of the decade and is a clear highlight of 2007. Highly recommended...... Aaron (pnoom) for progressiveears.com
I like Rebecca a lot.... But how did it go from Janus to Rebecca?
Some parts of it kind of remind me of David Lynch movies.
AND I just got back from a big California trip from north to south... and boy I am glad I don't live there anymore! :)I don't know how you guys are doing it....
thanx for the friendship. A review of your debutalbum you’ll find in a few weeks on musikzirkus-magazin online.
Greetings from germany.
Stephan www.musikzirkus-magazin.de
Musikzirkus-Magazin – the Internetmagazine about Prog-, Art-, Psychedelic-, Melodic-, Krautrock and Electronic with a lot of Concert-, CD-, DVD-Reviews, Interviews and many Infos. So have a look.
Ch-ch ch- cheers! And may I say like attracts like ;) Your music is so beguiling, intense, and I know that once I leave the page it will linger, something very evocative about it indeed. I can appreciate the alchemy of your sound. Liking it in a profound way May it always be 440 Time Princeton Reverb Dreams
Pleased to virtually meet you! Thank you for joining my circle of cyber friends, for excepting the add, your kind words and for sharing your Beautiful Music with me. Great Sound and Vibes!! Take care and have yourselves a very relaxing Sunday and an inspiring week. Warmest Regards from Toronto, Canada
World Unification Network turns 1 today! It's been an amazing year, thank YOU for being our friend, the future is looking bright! peace!!!! your friend, dcb (myspace.com/oscarakachris)
Pleased to virtually meet you! Thank you for joining my circle of cyber friends, for excepting the add and for sharing your Awesome Music with me. Good Sound and Vibes!! Take care and have yourselves a very relaxing weekend. Warm Regards from Toronto, Canada.
