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For me there is some music I can put on at any time of
the day and it works. There is another type of music that
is so intense that it only works at certain times. And I find
that the best time to absorb the musical output of a band
as intense as Univers Zero is usually first thing in the morning.
I mean seven or eight AM. Don’t ask me why but there’s probably
a good explanation somewhere. That being said Univers Zero’s
latest release is entitled LIVE and is in fact their first
all-live effort. LIVE displays all that you would expect from
a band that were one of the founding members of the “Rock
In Opposition” movement. ***
I’m trying to wean myself off using the term RIO as a
style descriptive since the term was more a marketing term
thrown at a group of politically empowered musicians. Rather
let’s describe the music of Univers Zero for what it really
is; challenging, aggressive, and intricate. Some use the term
chamber rock no doubt because so much of the music incorporates
instruments such as oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and English horn
and in that context it’s a completely accurate description.
But don’t think of chamber rock as a quiet little combo because
there are times where Univers Zero, especially in a live environment
really groove. There are eight tracks on LIVE providing a
nice compact retrospective of the bands musical output. Most
of these compositions are over seven or eight minutes long.
Lots of room to move but also lot’s of room to breath. This
is a group that knows their craft and you really hear that
in the live setting where you know they’re all looking at
each other and responding to the other person’s performance.
One moment it’s a tight musical approach and the next, a solo
on any one of a number of instruments. I particularly like
the parts where the keyboard resembles a harpsichord and there
are multiple reed instruments performing. It’s the type of
music that you don’t hear everyday. ***
Make no mistake; Univers Zero demand your attention.
The music is at once complex and multifaceted, but they repay
your attentiveness with some outstanding musicianship and
compositions. This is an extremely satisfying listen. If you
enjoy music that is on the edge, a little avant-garde then
there is no question that Univers Zero’s LIVE will be a welcome
addition to your CD library. ***
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