CoC : Gregorio Bardini & Thierry Jolif

Gregorio Bardini & Thierry Jolif - _Kantalon_
(The Eastern Front, 2009)
by: Quentin Kalis (6.5 out of 10)

Italian flautist Bardini and French noisemeister Jolif have united to celebrate the music and culture of the Breton nation. With few exceptions, most of the lyrics are taken from traditional songs, but set to their own music. It need not be said that this is largely in the Breton tongue. The downbeat tune is envisioned through the prism of post-industrial, with light effects alongside the primary backbone of flute and bodhran. Paradoxically the modern touches enhance rather than diminish the pastoral, campfire feel, but the dark folk sojourns are let down by the dreary nasal vocals inexplicably placed too high in the mix, while the spoken word narratives are more effective. Songs are free-flowing with little regard for folk conventions, yet not so dissolute as to resent ambiance. If it is possible to ignore the vocals, this serves as an understated and sombre expression of oft-ignored Celtic people.

Contact: http://www.theeasternfront.org

(article published 8/12/2009)