Marvin - Barry

by Maarten Schiethart

published: 29 / 5 / 2013

Label: Africantape
Format: CD

Genre-defying, but loud third album from remarkable Montpellier-based experimental trio, Marvin

Review

Marvin's 'Hangover the Top' is one of my favourite albums from 2010, and 'Barry' is my new best friend. Thunderous and humorous, the Montpellier trio produce a banging noise, a teaspoon of stoner, tons of speed and post rock garnished with a wealth of surprises. Incorporating the Munich sound of Giorgio Moroder, (which coincides with Daft Punk's tribute to the disco producer on their number one album,'Random House Memories') 'Barry' should give name to the next tornado. Very much the work of merry maniacs, 'Barry' takes rawk music to the next best level. Overwhelmed must be the euphemism here. Definitely no dopeheads, Marvin perform perfect mayhem. Starting with 'Tempo Fighting', the tone is immediately set. It is hammering music with no signs of the usual suspects; and no blood, violence and drugs clichés. Instead there is plenty of irony, in sound and in subject. The title 'As Noisy as Possible' perhaps refers to Noisy, the Paris suburb, for example. Or on the third track 'Giorgio Morricone' where the 'disco' beat sound actually appears to originate from a helicopter, and which, in martial accuracy, in the meantime flirts with cowboy movie music. The blasting concept behind 'Barry' thrives on Marvin's rich compositional structures. There is no gratuitous loudness but elegant frenzy instead, in for example the kraut-rock influenced title track. Each track bursting with impact, Marvin thoroughly enjoy steering this runaway train. The nine compositions all find a neat balance between sonic heft and clever cabaret style. Almost unnoticedly, 'Un Chien En Hiver' impersonates a howling dog running and pulling a sleigh in the undercurrent of this whirlwind music. It subsequently develops into the best new surf twang that I have heard, in the past decade or so, but beware it's just there for 20 seconds. Adding the quasi disco or techno buzzes as subtle layers does wonders to the sense of confusion. Sharing the potency and energy, of say, gabber trash music, the busy sounds of 'Barry' go from one great idea on to the next at relentless speed. Streamlined hilarity is performed with utter and outright competence. Marvin show you all corners of rock music, in all its guises. Prog, speed, post, punk, metal and what not went into this blinding hot stew. Life would be a bore without Marvin. And 'Barry'. The album only lasts 35 minutes, so given Marvin's typical minute and military precision, you can play 'Barry' twice during the course of a dull full-length CD!!

Track Listing:-

1 Tempo Fighting
2 Automan
3 Giorgio Morricone
4 As Noisy As Possible
5 Barry
6 The Dark Sheep
7 Un chien en hiver
8 We Won't Get Fooled Again Anymore
9 Jey Ferson