CD "Penguins On Mars" by Guitares Cinématiques

[Ahsak]

There's a very intriguing new CD I've discovered called "Penguins On Mars" by the group Guitares Cinématiques that I like very much because the style is fresh. The band features a classical guitar but the music isn't at all classical. The guitar is played acoustically and electronically. The style is more like a form of modern jazz ala Nels Cline or Ralph Towner but still quite different from either. Half of the tunes are very soothing (like Kontiki, Natsukashii, Rain, Hi L'eau, or AlH840001) but some songs are unusually complex "scenes" (like So Easy or My Semi-Annual Dream) with vocals ala Pink Floyd. Anyway, their website is http://www.penguinsonmars.com. -Ah

[Fayan]

Thanks for the suggestion. This is nice stuff! It's very different. I'm a fan of Towner, Monder, Cline, and Gismonti so I really enjoy this expanded use of classical guitar. I read the notes on their penguinsonmars.com website. Pretty cool that all the percussion and horns were all done via the classical guitar triggering synths. The guitarist gets a very nice sound (I'm guessing) on the tune "Rain" and then with either harmonics or muted against the bridge on the tune "ALH840001." I think my favorite tune is the one "Hi L'eau" because of the combination of the classical guitar with flugelhorn and the singer's smooth low voice. It's sort of Brazilian-sounding until the flugelhorn part comes in then it takes on a totally different feeling... I also like how the tune "Kontiki" starts out like a folk melody and then shifts dramatically in the middle so some modern groove. Can anybody here analyze what the time signature are in the tunes "Natsukashii" and "My Semi Annual Dream? I can't figure those out. Oh, the single "Heavenly Forces" is really a trip (I'm thinking of Blade Runner or some sci fi movie!) Thanks!
-Fayan

[Ron Thorne]

Hmmmm ... what a curiously similar posting style in these 1st two posts.

Gee, I wonder.

[kenny weir]

Yeehar, tag team spam, both on their first posts.

Actually, considering their disgraceful treatment of Australian jazz, I'd be happy if the Penguins WERE shunted off to Mars.