Troglodytes – Ria / 2006 Floating Opera / 10 Tracks / http://www.troglodytes.net / http://www.floatingoperarecords.com / Reviewed 27 June 2006

The synthesizer opening to “Piss Freaky” should remind individuals of all of the psychedelic bands that were out in the market in years past, where the drumming should tie that sound in to the jazz that was so prevalent in the seventies. The inclusion of a vocal sample finishes up the panoply in styles, to make this something much more in line with trip-hop than anything. There is nothing in the way of vocals to detract from what is an interesting act, as tracks like “Spek” bring to “Ria” a sound like the soundtrack from any twenties movie.

The production of this track distinguishes what the Troglodytes do friom this style of music, but there is a direct lineage between the two styles. The fact that Troglodytes can come up with tracks that run the gamut from two to eleven minutes show that they are not constrained by any structural element. This gives the band extreme range in regards to what they can do on this disc. The fact that there are not vocals means that the band is allowed to further open up; the instrumentation on “Ria” is not constrained by a set of vocals.

Troglodytes exist in a number of times and genres; there are a number of reasons to believe that their music will never get onto popular radio (the whole instrumental thing, mainly), but one has to give the band the fact that they are solid through and through. “Elephant” has just enough in the way of jazz to remind individuals of a track like “New York Minute” (by Don Henley). This ability to craft a track in “Elephant” that rotates on a very vintage type of style and yet operate in the current period is something that is unique to Troglodytes, and will make them stand head and shouldersd above any other band that attempts to challenge them. The intricate bassline that plays such a pivotal role in the second half of the track is yet another jewel in Troglodytes’ crown. The band may only directly appeal to a few listeners here and there, but the style of music that they create for “Ria” I something that will withstand the test of time and ensure the band a space in music’s collective identity. Here’s to hoping that Troglodytes can come up with more of their very distinct and special brand of jazz-funk-rock that is shown to listeners throughout “Ria”.

Top Tracks: Elephant, Piss Freaky

Rating: 6.3/10

[JMcQ]