Calle Debauche – Self-titled Album Review
I’ve never had fun with such an album in my life. Calle Debauche, an instrumental art rock band from Tuscon, AZ, released their first full-length earlier this year in May. I’m one to enjoy and dab into instrumental music immensely, but I don’t think I’ve ever come across something like this, really, ever. Their self-titled album is the first I’ve ever heard of them, but it is so brilliant in itself that I have to assume that the band’s first release (EP Potemkin Carnival (2007)) must have been equally as great (a quick MySpace listen at the song, “Hot Dogs,” confirms this conviction). I am definitely going to check that out for myself after being introduced to this album.
This album is full of avant-garde craftiness, coupled with fun and wild elements to the likes of Frank Zappa. The band is eclectically composed of an electric guitar, miramba, trombone, sax and percussions. Sounds like the make up of a jazz band, and in a way they are. In other ways they are also a punk band, a polka band, a classical band, a metal band…the list could go on. The point is, there is no exact way to pinpoint Calle Debauche’s place amongst others; they seem to transcend the notion of genres.
Calle Debauche are made up of very talented musicians who really know how to play their instruments. Each track is written so well that transitions are seamlessly weaved to invoke a variety of images. Generally, their tunes are upbeat and fun, but the band also manages to sneak in a few bars of tranquil mellowness occasionally. Their tendency to be more upbeat and circus-y is not to say that they can’t be taken seriously; in all truth, their music has to be taken seriously in order to fully appreciate it. I suppose that’s just an element of such avant-garde music. The arrangement of each track is very intricate, to the point where I wonder: how can they be so original, and could their future releases ever top this one?
The album starts off with “…”, a 35 second track that starts off mellow and digs right into “Defenestrator,” a very polka-esque song with so many transitions I start to think I might become bipolar. This is not a one-time thing throughout the album; in fact, almost all of the songs feature some sort of drastic transition, but as mentioned earlier–seamlessly so. It just doesn’t sound wrong, ever. I also love the full use of all instruments in each song; one instrumentalist is never left out. Calle Debauche seem to know how to use with what they’ve got very well. “VRF” is quite reminiscent of Zappa, being more of a compilation of genres of metal, ska, and jazz. It seems like an appropriate background theme for an old 80s video game. I especially enjoy “Regarding Pete,” a rock tune with amazing guitar solos that makes blatant references to songs like “The House of the Rising Sun” and the Circus theme. Such referencing always makes songs much more entertaining, and considering the rest of the album is entertaining in itself, it’s easy to see what I mean by how amazing this album is.
Calle Debauche are quite strange. Americans with a French band name that take on influences from eastern European folk music…I think I am in love with this album, I really do. It is a definite must for those looking for some fun avant-garde/prog music that captures worldly influences. If you like Zappa, you will definitely love Calle Debauche. Here’s looking to future releases!
MP3s:
Calle Debauche – Defenestrator
Calle Debauche – Regarding Pete
Calle Debauche – VRF
Tags: album
