The Actual Music Quartet is an anonymous group of classically trained musicians hailing from Russia. Originally brought together in 2005 through their common love of modern rock music, the aim here is a rather lofty one in that they're not only out to create diverse music which is new and fresh sounding, but more importantly to create music which defies categorization as well. This debut self titled disc can be considered a success in large part due to the very fact that they don't really subscribe to any one specific musical genre. They incorporate everything from jazz and progressive rock, as well as elements of post rock, into their melting pot, and the results provide an extremely challenging and satisfying listening experience. In fact if I had to draw comparisons with any band, I would say that AMQ's sound here is very reminiscent at times of the American post rock band Tortoise in that AMQ really know how to use their various different instruments to paint a broad aural canvas. The mixture of funky and laid back rhythms are hypnotic, and when combined with the clean sounding, richly layered guitars and various electronic elements, it just adds to the overall ambience. The 8 songs on this disc flow so cohesively into one another, it really gives the listener the feeling that they're listening to one long, multi-faceted composition rather than 8 distinct tracks. There is also a very soundtrack like vibe present throughout as well, as the haunting melodies and contemplative atmospherics allow the listener to drift off in their minds and choose their own cinematic visuals to accompany the music.
AMQ RSM have certainly crafted a debut disc full of a wide range of different textures which all lovingly weave together to form a unified whole. This music will appeal to people that appreciate everything from minimalism, progressive rock, jazz and fusion, and experimental rock. Simply put this is forty two minutes of musical heaven.
Track Listing
1) Tram Song
2) Number Two
3) rm
4) Grooba
5) Clock 77:77
6) In One Point
7) Face, 2 Face
8) Watermirrors
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