This is surely one of the lamest pun-based band names around. Is it even a pun or play on words? I might have at least expected some orchestral elements in the band's sound. But this melodic indie, driven by guitar, piano and a pop / post-rock sensibility doesn't deliver what the name implies: I could probably demand a refund on grounds of misrepresentation under trade descriptions.
It would be wrong to do so, though, for whatever this album doesn't do, it more than compensates in other ways, with some wholly listenable tunes and some unusual compositions spanning psychedelic folk to expansive, cinematic indie-rock.
'Lo Hi Hopes' builds a nice tension in the verses, and is pushed along nicely by a piston percussion and a tangible sense of urgency... and there we have it! The mid-section brings the brass! It's strangely absent for large section of the rest of the album, but comes into play nicely toward the building climax of the piano-led 'Hearts Trompet.' I have to admire their restraint and the overall subtlety of the music here.
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The album's closing duo, 'Same Same' and the eight-minute epic 'Insects' are pretty downbeat and introspective, but on the latter the trumpet is lone and mournful, augmented by some sweeping strings that add to the effect. It is effective, and affecting. It's also not what I had expected. Perhaps it's the punny name, or simply the slightly jaunty demeanour of the first couple of tracks, but I had anticipated something more overtly poppy, chirpy, uptempo, more cheerful. On balance, however, 'Mount Chimaera' is all altogether better album for exploring those darker corners, and is a helluva lot better than The Commitments-style knees-up I'd half expected.
Brasstronaut on MySpace
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