A second offering from Equally
Stupid gives forth a multinational crew of musicians with like-minded ideals
all within the vein of their first offering Exploding Head (2014), yet
directionally a different route.Blending
Rögnvaldsson's biting guitar with saxophonist Pauli Lyytinen's tone, offering a
round and warm sound, bound together by David Meier muscularity and textures on the drums the group three years later shows its group sound in a different light.
Escape from The Unhappy Society is more melodic and spacious, less of a
romping affair with an affinity to melody and lyricism. “Fools Paradise” offers textures with lilting sax phrasing and deeper rhythms by the guitarist Rögnvaldsson
which I might add is the unusual sound of baritone guitar, lending a darker
sound to the overall appreciated swells.Accompanied by Meirs’ gentle brushed percussion one immediately realizes
the groups continued evolution as group sound.
Where their first outing was brash, edgy and in your face, this offering is a
more measured and a polished sound, offering the listener an alternative look at
the ever-evolving ensemble. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of muscularity,
angularity and the interaction between Rögnvaldsson and Lyytinen still gives their
original fan base plenty of meat to chew on, as best exhibited on “Paranoia.” The
riffing sax and driving guitar weave through and around each other like a
childlike chase before embarking on a lyrical solo, then reverting to the romp
and play of the intro approach.
A
completely playful approach, it is refreshingly good-natured, and all about the
art of the music. These three young emerging Europeans have the right approach.
The prowess is there and certainly at their fingertips when needed, but also
the humanness of their music shines through, keeping it an organic experience
that is polished, but not so much that it makes it a sterile listen like so
many jazz CDs on the market today.I
have always liked my jazz a bit dirty rice and beans, and this fits the bill.
Track Listing: Politician’s Nightmare; Birdlife; Legacy to the Children of the
21st Century; Fool’s Paradise; Cruising Back to Mother Earth; The Garden of
Edward James; Paranoia; Transpiration; Escape from the Unhappy Society.
Personnel: Sigurdur Rögnvaldsson:
baritone guitar; Pauli Lyytinen: tenor, alto, bass saxophones, effects; David
Meier: drums.
A second offering from Equally
Stupid gives forth a multinational crew of musicians with like-minded ideals
all within the vein of their first offering Exploding Head (2014), yet
directionally a different route. Blending
Rögnvaldsson's biting guitar with saxophonist Pauli Lyytinen's tone, offering a
round and warm sound, bound together by David Meier muscularity and textures on the drums the group three years later shows its group sound in a different light.