Review: Pachyderm - Two Weeks Of Spring

Pachyderm are Montreal duo Tom Jarvis (originally from the UK) and Nico Braesch (from France) and with 'Two Weeks of Spring' they have produced an album full of texture and atmospheric soundscapes that combine "the Hijaz melodies of the Middle-East, the raga of Indian folk, the Taureg blues of the Sahara, the spiritual sonics of Krautrock and fuses it all with the power and the fury of rock" (press release). That's some claim to which the band, I'm pleased to say, is equal.

'Return to Bam Citadel' opens the album with some synth drones that shimmer like a hazy sunrise before the introduction of some reverb-laden twang guitar picking out an eastern melody. The gentle, just audible, chanting voices embue the track with a mystical feel. There is a slow building of the tempo throughout the track and when it reaches it's acme it becomes a glorious psychedelic raga. 'Golzar Avenue' again takes an eastern motif with the guitar, again drenched in reverb, firmly in the fore over percussion and synth drones. 'The Jewel In The Eye Of The Camel' is based around acoustic guitar and eastern percussion with some handclaps in the distance, it has an exceptionally authentic middle eastern feel that sounds like it should originate in a market place in Medina rather than Montreal. 'Moroccan Dive Bar' is a real stomper of a track; the guitars ring out over a thudding, almost tribal, drumbeat and some muted vocals. The introduction of some jazzy sax halfway through comes as a surprise, briefly howling like an injured animal. The track climaxes in some soaring psych guitarwork. 'Fidele' sees the band seamlessly move into 60s/70s psych/prog mode, reminiscent of a Fruits de Mer release. 'Late Night Boat Across The Dead Sea' is lilting instrumental that floats in the air; special mention must go to the guitar which invokes atmosphere and sounds like Peter Green's guitar on 'Albatross'. 'Lever La Voile' swaps the Middle East for France; it has a distinct gallic feel with French lyrics and sultry saxophone. 'Mirage' once again takes us back to the souks with another spirited tour of the Middle East. 'Mosquito Coast' starts with some more tribal drums and some heavy, fuzzy guitar underpinning the muted vocals and skronky sax. The builds and builds until the halfway mark when it breaks down into some jazzy drums and a reverb guitar solo. After another slow build it breaks down again into some fantastic echoing psych guitar which eventually ushers in the end of the track with the sound of an appreciative audience. Title track 'Two Weeks Of Spring' is a curiosity; more of a hauntological track, the chimes remind one of a musicbox, the notes repeating over a shimmer of percussion until the album is uhered out by a low, oscilliating drone.

'Two Weeks Of Spring' was recorded live and improvised and that shines through; it has a natural flow and spontaneity that is refreshing in this day and age of overdubs, over-production and 'cut'n'paste' recording techniques. The level of musicianship is equalled only by the level of imagination and the distillation of global reference points. It is an album that brings new meaning to the word 'soundscape'... a work of consumate skill and beauty. It is released by Brothers And Sisters Records of Montreal and can be purchased via the label's website here and the band's Bandcamp page here.