K-X-P - K-X-P

  by Maarten Schiethart

published: 14 / 8 / 2010

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Review

Via way of Oslo, a Helsinki super trio holding up a great promise, perhaps sums up best the direction in which the music on this is going. The mighty Aavikko and the peculiar Op:l Bastards split up and now K-X-P comes to the Baltic rescue. You still get the feeling that thunderbirds might invade the next moment but unlike the 1 minute and 20 seconds escape route that Aavikko used to offer, K-X-P indulges in lengthy workouts. Krautrock is the magic word now. 'Mehu Moments' is a prime example of Krautrock. It is probably best defined as dopey autobahn rock. Trance in transport. There's plenty of it around these days but K-X-P are leaders in their field. Keeping in lane with symbolic sounds, those wacky Finnish have constructed, and guide you along very odd entries and exits. K-X-P combine roundabout confusion and a fast lane sense of freedom and there are mysteriously loose bits at the start and at the end of, otherwise, perfectly smooth rides. Progression shows on 'New World' where a much bigger, trance-like sound evolves. There is no escape from the forces behind K-X-P. K-X-P handle a sublime type of blandness over the course of 50 minutes. The missing link for Musik for Autobahnen perhaps, remixed for cyclists and pedestrians. Pecularly pleasing.

Track Listing:-

1 Elephant Man
2 Mehu Moments
3 18 Hours (Of Love)
4 Labirynth
5 Aibal Dub
6 Pockets
7 New World
8 Epilogue