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Continent & Western--simultaneously more experimental and
more accessible than previous Fond of Tigers releases--shows the band
honing its unique blend of avant-garde textures and post-rock structures
while expanding its range to include vocals and additional members. Toronto’s
Sandro Perri (Constellation Records) lends vocals and
lyrics to “Vitamin Meathawk”, while Swedish experimenter Mats
Gustafsson brings his intense saxophone and electronics push
to “Grandad”. Bandleader Stephen Lyons also takes the microphone
for the lush, unhurried closing track, “Upheaval”.
While the textures and tonalities of experimental improv are still present,
Continent & Western emphasizes song structure and melodic detail over
some of the more esoteric directions taken on 2007’s Release the
Saviours.
From the unfolding layers of variation in the title track, to hard edge
rockers like Sept 16th, 2005, to the intricate (relative) pop of Vitamin
Meathawk, the third album from Fond of Tigers is a simultaneously more
focused and more expansive take on the group’s unique brand of ordered
chaos.
Called “post-everything”, Fond of Tigers have
been developing their hypnotic and intense music since 2003. Since its
origins as a solo project of guitarist Stephen Lyons,
the group has expanded to include its signature double-drumkit attack
and processed violin and trumpet textures along with the artfully layered
hooks.
Featuring seven of Vancouver’s leading
creative musicians, Fond of Tigers play a layered, nuanced music that
explores musical possibilities ranging from the smallest gesture of extended
technique, to the full avant-rock bombast possible with a wild, double-drum-kit-led
septet. The group has shared stages with Tortoise, Deerhoof, the Grande
Mothers, Shad, Mats Gustafsson, Sandro Perri, Chad vanGaalen, and others.
Notoriously hard to categorize, Fond of Tigers continue to evolve and
explore a musical territory in the outlands of avant-rock.
Press:
"Without question, five years of music
from Vancouver’s Fond of Tigers has proven that descriptions of their
sound are next to impossible and essentially pointless... When it comes
to Continent & Western however, the reward is in
the total experience. The moments of serenity and tradition spliced into
collages of chaos and urgency are as captivating as they are conflicting
and certainly better heard than read. " - Herohill
Album
Review: Herohill
Links:
fondoftigers.com
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