Pirut

Originally written for Music Talk.
www.musictalkus.blogspot.com
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Kauan are a doom / post-rock outfit that reside in the Ukraine. Since the creation of the band in 2005, they have released a steady stream of full-length material that has borrowed from many genres in order to create a unique image and sound. Kauan take influence from folk metal, doom metal, and post-rock and with each album, the band continues to hone in on a new, fresh, and introspective sound. Featuring a non-traditional set of instrumentation (full-members include a viola player) the band utilizes all instruments to develop a sound that sets a mood and whose albums reflect tales of nature. Pirut shows a maturing in sound, but it doesn't push the envelop for the band. What you hear on this record doesn't necessarily break new barriers. Rather, it poses the listener with a nice record of solid material that invokes a particular mood and forces the listener to think, and to feel.

This album has such a beautiful flow to it that there were times when I couldn't believe that 39 minutes could pass so effortlessly! The album contains 8 tracks, each labeled I, II, III, and so on. The album is meant to flow from one track to the next, and because of this, I found it hard to pick one or two tracks that particularly stood out. To single out a few tracks blatantly disrupts the albums' seamless transitions. Further, it was particularly hard for me to get into said tracks that stood alone. However, the album does climax at IV, a beautiful track featuring 8 minutes of wonderful melodies, beautiful vocals, and a happy, triumphant atmosphere, especially as the song beings to wrap up. Onward from IV, the album begins to wind down very nicely, and before you know it, Pirut is over as beautifully as it began.

The production on Pirut is incredible. Everything is crisp, clear, and each instrument sits very well within the final mix. Further, the atmosphere that the album is meant to convey is not lost because of how clean everything sounds. In fact, the atmosphere is enhanced because of a certain depth that the production brings to the record. A stellar job!

As usual, I always lend a section to the drumming on any particular album I review, and I will not leave this record to exception. The drumming doesn't particularly demand attention, but it is flawlessly executed. All parts played are exactly what the music calls for, in every respect. Excellent job to drummer, Anton Skrynnik!

Pirut is a mature release that stands tall with the rest of its' predecessors. While not breaking any bold new ground, Kauan is able to give the listener an atmosphere to lose oneself in; an atmosphere to reflect on yesterday, ponder today, and prepare for tomorrow. A vast range of emotions can be identified with while listening to Pirut, and I highly recommend taking some time to yourself, finding an empty, quiet place, and listening to Pirut. This is not background noise, this is music that plays the strings of your mind and of your emotions. May your listening experience be a happy one.