Gargantua - Gargantua

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Gargantua - Gargantua

Artist:	Gargantua
Title:	Gargantua
Label:	Ars Mundi AMS 034 R
Length(s):	43 minutes
Year(s) of release:	2004
Month of review:	[09/2004]

Line up

Marcin Borowski - percussion
Justyn Hunia - keys, vocals
Leszek Mrozowski - bass
Bartek Zeman - guitar, vocals

Tracks

1)	Obilas Mi Sie (Diabolus In Musica)	4.31
2)	Slowolnosc	6.43
3)	Szla-dzie (ajachta)	9.13
4)	Fumator Kulbaczny	4.35
5)	Wrzesien Przysnien	6.43 MP3
6)	Tarczowali Dzisiaj Las	3.52
7)	Azur	7.10

Summary

The music

Gargantua is a Polish band, entering the market with this experimental progressive album featuring, next to the firm progressive basis, strong jazz and experimental influences. This is reflected in the use of instruments, especially bass and piano show the jazz influence, as in the use of vocals and breaks, which is odd and off at times. In a positive sense, that is. The band seem to be drawn to odd duels and truels, at the one time sharp at the other time laid back. In a way it reminds me of the HUngarian act After @ All, mainly because the compositions aren't strictly melodic, but are built from short pieces and repetitions of melody. An effect that should not be confused with incosistency or incoherence. Another semblance is the use of spoken vocals. The atmosphere of the album is a bit eerie, as well as close. The strange somewhat rhythmic and halting use of the guitar helps in creating this atmosphere, as well as putting the album apart from other material. Despite all the effects which seemingly work against melody, the overall result is absolutely musical.

Conclusion

Gargantua isn't your basic act, not only are they a bit weird, or at least their music is, they are also a class act. The unpredictability and variation draw the attention. And in a way they leave me speechless, resulting in this review's terseness. Not one of the more accessible Polish efforts, but a strong one indeed. The sound of bands such as these show that progressive music is not a dead alley: this musical vein has some room left to grow and Gargantua is helping its growth.