Solagget is a great instrumental trio comprised of David Lord on electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, bells; Sean Fanning on bass, double bass, keyboards, acoustic guitars; and Aaron Fanning on drums, percussion, and cello. And I am glad to report that, with such wide instrumentation, the music presented by Solagget fully realizes its potential, although The Delivery is just their debut release.
Though quite rich in varied soundscapes and meticulous in its arrangement, most of the album is acoustic-based, with slowly opening chords that embark on concise passages filled with texture and ambience. Never too heavy or fast, the album moves at a glacial pace, evoking feelings of freejazz without utilising many of its elements. With the exception of the title track, an amazing bass-centred track, exuding pastoral acoustic guitars, tasteful percussion, and cascading riff explosions, The Delivery delves into slightly jazzy areas, best noticed on "The Discovery" and "The Shape Song". The former breaking the ten-minute mark sees Aaron Fanning playing great brush drums whilst segments of acoustic guitars are draped over it gently. The song does pick up pace somewhere in the middle, touching on great riffs and bass arpeggios, not to mention the amazing keyboard work that surrounds the whole thing gluing the sounds and creating a unified theme. Bells and fully acoustic sections echo distantly in the end before storming drums take over and climax perfectly at the final note. The remaining tracks, mostly "Finnhopen", are even more laidback and interwoven with dynamic subtleties that reveal themselves upon repeat listens. This is perhaps the most atmospheric song on the album, highlighted by textured keyboards and awesome guitar effects as well as wonderful hand drums. On "Sohbet", the trio is unafraid to play a distinctive bass line as waves of acoustic guitars unleash hard-hitting electric leads and a hammering drum attack before the song is slowly altered into its restful mood. The album's last track is the 13-minute "The Seagull Took My Name", a minimalistic number with a myriad of sound effects, layers of instrumentation, and grey melodies. This is where the cello plays a minimal yet very powerful role in the band crafting their sound, even using some electronic elements.
I assume most fans of instrumental music would enjoy Solagget a lot if they heard about them more often, for I really think they are too good a band we should ignore.
Track Listing
- The Delivery
- The Discovery
- The Shape Song
- Finnhopen
- Sohbet
- The Seagull Took My Name
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
