Nosound are a five piece art rock band from Rome, Italy. They have been around for a few years and this is their second full length release, not including EPs and live material. Special guests include Tim Bowness (No-Man) on vocals and Marianne de Chastelaine on the cello. Upon my first listen the music captured me with its haunting soundscapes and soothing musical passages. Keyboards and synths dominate the music, but the cello and guitar are both very effective when used. This music is far from bombastic, but its subtlety makes for an intriguing listen. The album is quite mellow, at times almost minimalistic so if you are only interested in harder material this probably is not your cup of tea. If I were to make comparisons to other bands, I would say Pink Floyd, Sigur Ros and Porcupine Tree (their mellower stuff) come to mind. While they are influenced by the aforementioned bands, they have their own unique sound. The press release refers to Nosound as post/alternative rock, but I think art rock is just as applicable. There is much artistic beauty to be found here, including some truly wonderful melodies. The vocals have a definite Italian accent, but it is not a distraction, and the singing is very good.
From the beginning, you know what you are getting as the album's first tune is a moody synth laden number that flows along, reminding me of Richard Wright at times, and sets the mood for the album. One of the album's highlights is "From Silence To Noise" the longest song and also one of the best. The beginning builds slowly with keys and synths, gentle guitar strumming and nice vocals. This really has a Pink Floyd feel, all the way from the airy synths and dreamy vocals to the slow methodical drumming. The electric guitar solo half way through will bring back memories of seventies era Floyd which is always a plus in my book. The song ends as it began, with a gentle wash of keys and synths. While this is my favorite song, I did not dislike any of the others, making this a consistent album from the beginning to the end. If you are interested in any of the bands I have mentioned and like moody, atmospheric music without the bombast, by all means give this one a listen. You could be in for a real treat.
Track Listing:
1) About Butterflies and Children (3:02)
2) Places Remained (4:29)
3) The Misplay (4:32)
4) From Silence to Noise (15:29)
5) Someone Starts to Fade Away (8:55)
6) Kites (8:30)
7) Lightdark (8:45)
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
