Intergalactic Art Café is the third studio album by the Italian band Stereokimono, but it was my first acquaintance with this band from Bologna. So, I have no idea what kind of music you'll find on Ki (2000) and Prismosfera (2003). They started around 1989; the current line-up consisting of Antonio Severi (guitar, midi guitar, keyboards), Cristina Atzori (drums, percussion) and Alex Vittorio (bass, keyboards), is together since 1995. When you listen to the music on Intergalactic Art Café you'll discover that Stereokimono is not a typical Italian progressive rock band. On the contrary! By the way they use the Mellotron on the largest part of the album you're more inclined to think they hail from Sweden. Bands like Anekdoten, Änglagĺrd, Anima Morte, Landberg and Sinkadus make music that is quite similar to the music of Stereokimono. However, that's only the tip of the iceberg! This Italian ensemble provided an enhancement of their musical style for this third release. It comprises a repertoire in which the threesome shows an increase of both energy and experimental trends. This eventually led to awesome avant-garde progressive rock music. Their musical style can also be seen as an energetic combination of eighties King Crimson kind of music and a funky core. They also implemented psychedelic elements with moderate electronic tendencies and ethnic sensibilities that come to the fore occasionally. Also traces of space rock are present throughout the album. This blending of different styles lead to wonderful music, that is, if you're in the mood for this type of music. In general, Intergalactic Art Café contains no vocals, but out of the blue some weird vocals pop up on the tracks Rebus, Oltre Algon and The Gnome On The Moon. But this isn't disturbing at all and it fits in perfectly within the frames the musicians write their compositions. I think this album contains a kind of concept. According to the band the Intergalactic Art Café is a bar in a surreal universe that isn't marked on any galactic map. It's a place where you can meet 'interdimensional' beings. The café has a small stage in the back where strange musicians come together to make endless sessions of 'slanting music'. It appeared rather difficult to me to describe the kind of music Stereokimono recorded for this album. If you're curious to know you have to check out their websites. Maybe you'll also notice traces of King Crimson, Anekdoten and other musical styles which aren't always easy to label. In spite of that you might discover that this kind of music also appeals to you, just like it did to me. ***+ Henri Strik (edited by Peter Willemsen) Where to buy? |
