THE LOTHARS (USA)

Oscillate My Metallic...
Wobbly Music CD

Every single review or article I've read about this Bostonian ensemble has without exception concentrated solely on the band's instrumentation. I can't say that I blame them too much, since there really aren't that many theremin orchestras around. Theremins, some soft touches on the guitar strings and the occasional sweeping cloud of violin beauty is the unconventional trinity that the Lothars primarily conjure their sound from. The inward-spiraling darkness of the drift-scapes presented on "Oscillate My Metallic Sonatas" transcends most of today's musical boundaries and limitations. It's relieving to listen to a band that's not afraid to investigate new cosmic territories with the interest and curiosity of a child, while also never completely forgetting their roots, the music they've grown up with. This shows in the end result that is surprisingly structured and musical despite being considerably dark and droning. "Metallic Sonata No. 1" sounds like an atmospheric condition like the increasing wind puffing away the morning mist and clearing up the sight of a clear blue lake. The hazy grace of the violin-lead and vaguely beat-based "Bleep-Bloop" is another instrumental gem aiming for eerie and long forgotten places, while "The Trot" definitely is the catchiest and most humable rune on the record with a nice battle betwixt pop guitars and whirring and buzzing theremins. I guess it doesn't come as a big surprise that the thereminist ends up with a steady grasp of the winning trophy. My personal favorite, "Hooray For Dane", is like an ocean liner experiencing the rarity of a calm Atlantic Sea. The ship is surrounded by nothing but endless silence, stillness and anxiety of what the approaching thunderhead on the horizon might hold for the ones that are bold enough to further explore. The sailors' worst nightmares comes true in the frantically vibrating, crashing and pulsating 19 minute closer "The Feudal Resistance" which is a soul-cleansing manifestation in the art form of jamming with theremins. It echoes through your cranium like some cerebral church bell and is the perfect finale to an abstract and yet charmingly cohesive concoction of everything the electronic beauty of the theremin can offer.

MG