
Now, with spring around the corner, I'm beginning to feel a lot better. I rediscovered the joys of writing, not only here on Merchants Of Air but also in my new novel. Everything seems to be getting back on track again and I couldn't be happier. So I'll just continue my review duties and I have a nice one for you.
Back in 2015, I received an email from le_mol, a post rock duo from Vienna. They had just released their 'Kara Oh Kee' album and they wanted me to write a review. Back then, it was calm on Merchants Of Air. We could still easily keep up with the incoming releases. So I wrote the review (read) and everybody rejoiced. Today, we can't keep up with everything anymore but many of the bands that appeared on the early pages of this website have a big chance to be featured again. Same goes for le_mol, mostly because they just delivered another stunning album.
What le_mol does? Well, one of them plays drums and the other one battles with guitars, keys, effects and a loop station. Yet, with that somewhat minimal setting, these guys can easily stand next to many of your favorite post rockers like God Is An Astronaut, Mogwai, This Will Destroy You or Russian Circles. On 'Heads Heads Heads' they try to convince you of their skills in seven tracks, seven tracks you definitely want to hear.
I'll go right to track number three, titled 'le_mol fear Mogwai'. I think it's my favorite track but here that is a tough choice to make since I mostly just enjoy listening to the entire album without skipping or focusing on one track. However, le_mol needs to fear no one, certainly not Mogwai. This is simply a breathtaking post rock tune, and it's far from the only one on this album. In fact, I think now is a good time to mention that le_mol have certainly grown as a band.
I think the difference between this and the previous album is experience. The songs sound even better worked out than before. Here and there you can still find that urge for experimentation and sound exploration but for the most part, these are well written, well performed and well produced post rock tracks. 'Temperatures Will Drop - Pekoppa' even shows a bit of doom metal influences while '7udud Lurati Ta3ni 7udud 3alami' seems to bring Boards Of Canada and God Is An Astronaut together.
So yeah, this is another highly recommended album for fans of slow, lingering and immersive music because that is exactly what this is. It feels both familiar and unusual. I think that is a good image for le_mol: it is a post rock act but it is a stubborn one, one that will follow their own path instead of the one most other post rockers will follow. It leads them to amazing music, new angles and a unique sound.
Serge