Baikonour - Your Ear Knows Future (Melodic)

It was a phrase first articulated by the album's Japanese sleeve designer that resulted in the title. And it's a perfect example of what the Brighton-based artist affectionately refers to as 'accidental English'.

Baikonour (aka Jean-Emmanuel Krieger) has delved into the past to create his second album, Your Ear Knows Future.

A first play might lead you to think Krieger's music is a bit rough around the edges, but once you’ve devoted a bit of listening time, an affect not dissimilar to alcohol kicks in as the music slowly trickles into your bloodstream and suddenly transforms jagged sound into something very attractive indeed.

Combining a huge range of different influences, from the 60’s experimental German music scene - referred to as Krautrock - right through to British Indie bands from the 80s; this album ensures it removes itself from any mainstream attention.

The biggest influence on the album is Krieger’s time spent charity working in Nepal: each track title is taken from phrases and names he heard there. Track six, 'Ye Ama Pioo!', when roughly translated into the Tamang language, means 'I’m having sex with your mum'. Exclamation granted. The track itself would fortunately be less likely to shock your grandmother, but it's still unusual with two minutes of muffled vibrations thrown in at the mid-way point.

Baikonour's influences create a theme of moody-sounding progressive rock, with an eerie, echoing and electric experience resulting in rocky psychedelia; it's easily epitomised in 'Shikharettes & Khukuris'.

Mixes of electronic and traditional instruments are used here, including vintage guitars, keyboards and a range of sonic effects taken from a library of sounds from the last 40 years. All instruments are played by Krieger himself, with the exception of drums, where the sticks are handed to Lee Adams from fellow Krautrock-influenced band Fujiya & Miyagi.

‘Fly Tiger’ is the strongest track on the album, and whilst starting without too much excitement it gradually progresses into something very striking. With its untainted edginess, heavy use of electric guitar, crashing drums and wailing sirens, you might be forgiven for taking a brief moment out from reality.

'Your Ear Knows Future' is without lyrics, but you’ll be so captivated by the music that it'll probably go unnoticed.

While Your Ear Knows Future aims to create timeless collection of music, it might just be a little too ambitious. That said, it's certainly an intriguing collection of emotive, psychedelic songs that’ll provide some warming escapism this winter.

Rating: 4/5

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Artist: Baikonour Title: Your Ear Knows.. Released: 20/01/2009 Buy Now \| View Details	Artist: Baikonour Title: For the Lonely.. Released: 26/07/2005 Buy Now \| View Details

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Published: 15/11/2008 at 07:06
Author: Phillip Clark
Links: Permanent Link