Niagara - Otto

  by Maarten Schiethart

published: 28 / 4 / 2013

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Review

Italian duo Niagara like their pop, their electronica and their psychedelica and aren’t afraid to mix things up on their debut album ‘Otto’, offering an ear-pleasing blend of catchy sounds over eight tracks. After a blurt of electronic tinkling, the first track from ‘Otto' slides in, sounding very like Elliott Smith with its lullaby vocals and acoustic guitar picking, but they soon switch gears to a sound more reminiscent of Depeche Mode on ‘Superbe’. Some things are carried over: David Tomat and Gabrielle Ottini (who can also be found performing as noisy improvisers in Gemini Excerpt and electronic combo N.A.M.B.) like to entwine their lead and backing vocals. They don’t stay on the dancefloor for long, jumping back into pop mode (abetted by some glittering mandolin) on ‘Seal’. Canned handclaps and electronically treated vocals add a modern gloss. By now listeners should know that ‘Watershipdown’ will change the mood again, starting with some foreboding noises before careening into some wordless vocalizing and speedy beats that might have some thinking of such music-makers as Japan’s Cornelius. ‘Etacarinae’ takes a trip closer to 1960's pop, with cheery repetitions of “I’m waiting for the sound!” ringing out over some pumping summer tuneage. ‘E.V.A.' slows things down and lowers the mood for a more sombre atmosphere, with a clattering, insistent beat and vaguely sinister radio sounds. At this point it’s a bit of a surprise to have two songs leaning toward the electronic side of the spectrum (don’t worry, it won’t last), but ‘Galaxy Glacier’ goes even further into the synthetics, with a glitchy sound that suggest repeat Aphex Twin listenings. Naturally, ‘Love Me, Love Me’ wraps things up with a bit of dreamier pop.‘Otto’ makes for a brisk and entertaining listen for fans of off-kilter pop music; though not a soundalike, it’s easy to imaging it appealing to fans somewhere in the land between Jennifer Gentle and Animal Collective.

Track Listing:-

1 Eight
2 Superbe
3 Seal
4 Watershipdown
5 Etacarinae
6 E.V.A
7 Galaxy Glacier
8 Love Me Love Me

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/niagaraspace

Label Links:-

http://www.monotremerecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MonotremeReco
https://twitter.com/Monotreme_Recds
https://www.youtube.com/user/monotreme