Wednesday 19 December 2012

A PSYCHEDELIC QUEST

Colster come from Bra, in the province of Cuneo, and began life as a duo on the initiative of Livio Cravero (guitars, bass, synthesizers) and Francesco Previotto (drums, percussion). Their influences range from Pink Floyd and psychedelia to progressive rock and jazz but they always try to be as much original as possible mixing music with their personal experiences without schemes or barriers. Colster's first eponymous album was recorded between 2008 and 2009 and finally released on the independent label Ma.Ra.Cash Records in 2010. It's a completely instrumental album but in some way every track is linked to images or memories that the musicians tried to explain in the liner notes and with the help of some pictures that you can find in the booklet. 
 

The opener “Searching Absolution fase 1” starts with a frenzied rhythm and tense guitar riffs. Some passages reminds me of Goblin and the music could be the perfect score for a thriller or a horror film by Dario Argento. According to the liner notes this piece tries to describe an ideal quest for purification, you have to forget past errors and search for an absolution to give a new sense to your life. 
 

“The First Wail” is more in psychedelic vein. The music takes you off on a kind of cosmic trip and you can even breathe the atmosphere of the dark side of the moon, but beware! The way is full of surprises. Next comes “Everyday Life” which describes the hectic rhythm of every day life, a rhythm that makes you forget what is really important. At the beginning there's a hard, pulsing beat, then the storm calms down and you get lost in your reflections. 
 

The following track “Island Asylum” describes an ephemeral, sensual refuge from the daily grind. The atmosphere is more relaxed here, you can dream and find new energies. The short “Mind Rejection” is darker and marks the moment when you have to leave your shelter. With “Searching Absolution fase 2 and fase 3” you're back on your cathartic quest but the way is difficult, a long drum solo evokes wild rides in the dark and uncertain paces, then an ethereal, dreamy atmosphere brings new hope and you can go on. 
 

On “Melancholy” some memories emerge from the past, surrounded by emptiness. This track features a heartfelt electric guitar solo and an ethereal atmosphere. It leads to the conclusive “See Through The Tears”, where you can contemplate the world through a veil of tears. Your sight is not clear now while the music conjures up surreal visions and blurred landscapes. The quest comes to an end and probably you couldn't find the absolution you were looking for. Anyway, even if you can't give a new sense to your life I'm pretty sure you will not regret the time spent listening to this album. At the moment the band is already working on a new album with two new members in the line up and I'm looking forward to listen to it.

Colster: Colster (2010). Other opinions:
Jim Russell: Colster succeeds at what I believe are one of their intentions, creating a sort of soundtrack for the thoughts and images of the listener, music that moves with you as you live. And yet it is important to reiterate that their succinct style is a strength. They improvise and dream musically of course, they take you places, but they keep the pieces reasonably brief and well paced, stretching the length out only as necessary. There is no overindulgence here where you are tortured by 16 minutes of feedback over breaking glass and barking dogs. Colster brings a lighter edge to psych/space and are capable of crossover should they choose to go there... (read the complete review HERE).  

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