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8 out of 10
Math rock is a tough genre to crack. At one end of the spectre it can become too obsessed with its need to be different and get too bogged down in complex time signatures and song structures for its own good; whilst at the other end of the spectre it acts as an excuse for a guitarist to reveal his inner Jimmy Page, and solo endlessly with no real aim other than to show off his chops. Thankfully, Passe Montagne manages to avoid these pitfalls and navigate the middle ground to great effect.
Clocking in at just over 20 minutes long, Passe Montagne never let up - on 'Oh My Satan' they claim to have written around 6000 riffs, all of which are featured only briefly before they're tossed aside in favour of something else. A record for the faint hearted this is not.
Opener 'Jupiter' sets the bar for this record pretty damn high. It comes from nowhere, all pummelling drums and chugging guitar riffs before disappearing as fast as it appeared. The next song, 'La Loi C'est La Loi' sets the tone for the rest of the album, sounding like a mixture of Oxes and The Magic Band. It seems obvious that Passe Montagne are big fans of early 70s prog rock - most of their riffs wouldn't sound too out of place on a Led Zepplin record, though they're far less indulgent then their influences, allowing parts very little breathing space before racing on to their next idea. Over the next 10 songs drums clatter about and the two guitars screech over one another, twisting between brief discordant riff and carefully plucked chords, before skipping onto a whole new idea. It's this that is probably the weakest point of the record, though it's only a minor one. Considering how quickly 'Oh My Satan' grabs your attention, it's a shame that it's over so quickly. Having said that it's probably best that Passe Montagne doesn't out stay their welcome and leave us wanting more.
Listen: www.myspace.com/passemontagne
Tracklist:
1. Jupiter
2. La Loi C'est La Loi
3. Premier Flocon
4. Positive Manouche
5. 98% Cuir 2% Sky
6. Traga Maluca
7. Made In China
8. Lowcost Deluxe
9. More Mormon
10. Tractor Operator
11. Le Pli
12. Vice Is Good
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