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Current mood:  chipper
A Treat for all Senses As we move into September, fall announces its arrival into DC. The unpleasant humidity is replaced with a rejuvenating breeze and the fever of the summer is cooled. Released from summer’s hold, this is the perfect time to check out the eclectic and hypnotic songs of Bellflur that are just as refreshing as the first fall morning to which you awaken. On the 9th of September, DC—the hometown of Bellflur—was treated to an expansive and entertaining experience that proved to be a treat for all the senses.The cramped back stage of the Black Cat is not where one would expect to find a nine-piece band complete with a violin and a brass section. However, somehow they managed just that; the stage was packed with an incomprehensible amount of instruments. The band had to actually pre-measure the stage and tape off a mock-setup in their basement to ensure that everything would fit come show day. If this forethought surprises you, it shouldn’t. Bellflur consists of band members who are dedicated to bringing the audience an experience that is both unique and memorable, and it shows.To say Bellflur defies musical categorization would be an understatement. They draw comparisons with Sigur Ros and Radiohead, however they never really fit into those molds. Their surreal compositions are dense and accessible, much like a Salvador Dali painting. Closing my eyes I imagined melting clocks and stairs that led to nowhere. Like any good surrealist they take normal musical ideas and transform them into fantastic vapor like melodies and complex mind bending arrangements. A stand out track that I recommend for heavy rotation is “Grey Sparkle Finnish Pigs.” The song builds slowly with some interesting surprises and finally explodes into the grandeur that Bellflur hinted at throughout the night.Visually the show was just as trance inducing as their music sounded. During the show they played scenes from Koyaanisquatsi, a film by Godfrey Reggio, on a projector screen. The scenes flowed intimately with the music and harkened back into the days of Andy Warhol and his acid-trip shows with the Velvet Underground. As if this were not captivating enough, they also had an elaborate stage surround that boasted cut outs from an unknown city.Their sound reaches an unclaimed middle ground between coherence and disarray in which each listener’s interpretation is unique. Normally at this point I would go through how each member contributes to the band’s sound however, with each member hopping from one instrument to another I will just lay it out in simple terms.Tom- Vocals, Bass, Keys, SampleHunter- Drums, Samples, Keys, VocalsPatrick- Guitars, Samples, drums (stand up cocktail kit)Carlos- Vocals, Keys, Samples, GuitarAdditional Players include: Simone- Violin; Brad- Trumpet; Barry- Trombone, recorder, and coronetto; and Nick- Drums. (Susan - Violin, Keys, Vocals - added by carlos)Staggering home at the end of the night I was unsure how much of the show would stay with me. To be sure it was an amazing show—and I have seen my share of amazing shows, but how would it rate the next day? During the show I could feel the electricity of excitement and adventure flooding off the stage and into the audience. A couple days later, I still feel it. Going back and listening to their latest EP it conjured up memories of a show I was not so sure I saw as much as I had felt. And that unnamable feeling and individual experience is a testament to a work of art.Bellflur is poised to have a big year in 2010. They have a new album coming out and a limited release vinyl and DVD. You can sample their songs at their Web site: www.Bellflur.com.
10:41 PM
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