KTU (pronounced K2) is composed of Finnish accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen, Pat Mastelotto (from King Crimson) and guitarist Trey Gunn. The trio’s latest episode of progressive rock, titled Quiver is composed of a series of instrumental juxtapositions sliced together to create charging symphonies. While listening to the album, the premise of the album is presented to the listener in a series of questions. Can an electric guitar work with an accordion? Why not? Will church bells fit in with heavy drumming? Sure. Will a pipe organ complement a series of electronic bleeps? Of course.
The diversity of instruments used in Quiver is reflective of the talents and locations the album was recorded in. Gunn utilizes the Warr Guitar, an instrument which is tapped rather than strummed and can emulate the sound of an electric guitar, which is used expressively on the album. Pohjonen uses an accordion to masterfully produce a variety of orchestral sounds. Adding locations such as Heliniski, Texas, and the UK to the mix completes the inception of an eclectic collection of music.
Quiver introduces itself with “Fragile Sun” a haunting piece that sets the tone for most of the album with mellow guitar and accordion notes. The transfer to “Kataklasm” introduces church organs backed by a heavy electric guitar influence which rises to a crescendo. Similarly, “Nano” takes off on a faster tempo with deeper accordion sounds and bell notes that crescendo with haunting background vocals.
The albums title track “Quiver” incorporates each element available to the trio with bell notes and electric guitars at the forefront. Purga on the other hand utilizes church bells and haunting chanting with rousing drums. Womb sets out in a mellow direction with hushed accordion sounds and minimal outside interaction. The liveliest tracks found on the collection are “Wasabi Fields” which add a rousing beat to French accordion sounds and “Jacaranda” which continues on an upbeat tempo and gives way to a darker accordion influence accompanied by a regular drum beat. The collection ends with “Snow Reader,” a piece with minimum drumming paralleled against soothing accordion and beat effects; a perfect closer to an eclectic and diverse experience that will have listeners wanting more of KTU on their next outing.
Rukshan Thenuwara – MuzikReviews.com Contributor
August 4, 2009
