ZAAR

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Neo-R.I.O., 2006-02-05
Rock In Opposition-style music has been around long enough now to spawn a host of imitators, second-generation adherents and musicians willing to fool around with the original Belgian recipe. One such was the band Sotos (January 1996-June 2004) who put a distinctly French spin on the formula, bringing in elements of Magma and the whole theatrical zeuhl movement. br / br /When Sotos disbanded the leaders found themselves a new bassist and replaced the cellist and violinist with one hurdy-gurdy player, rechristening themselves as Zaar. The hurdy-gurdy lends a slightly folky flavor, although the RIO angularity and French microrhythms prevent this from being confused with Pierre Bensusan or Alan Stivell. Whereas the Belgians exude an aura of dread and impending disaster, Zaar takes a sunnier, if no less challenging stance utilizing the distinctly French tendency toward repetition and narrow variations. br / br /This release is the very definition of "je ne sais quoi."