Well rounded instrumentals
Swiss trio Duara have a punchy instrumental sound with off kilter, complex drums and technically impressive guitars but it's all done without fuss, without theatrics, so it sounds organic, easy and uncomplicated in their hands. From The Hill is the band's third full length and it's being released through the excellent Ikarus records. The album was recorded live in an old cottage in Luzern with no sound tech support, just the band playing their songs and recording them and it sounds fresh and incredibly tight.
The rocky opener with its off kilter but still danceable rhythms and fantastic riffs hooks you in immediately but you will soon discover that this is not all Duara have to offer. The album has a varied sound, from scuzzy, warm and layered rock outs to moments of real finesse; slow number The Fog for instance, may have slightly jazzy rhythms but it also has delicate guitars playing a sweetly melodic tune. Tracks like Flykiller are soothing and dreamy in parts but also direct and superbly performed considering the complexity of the song structure.
The tracks segue together beautifully so it's easy to loose yourself completely in the moment at times; the movement from the tuneful Flykiller to the brilliant and lovely Snout is one of those moments - two very distinct songs but the fit is perfect and has been thoughtfully arranged. It's hard to find a reason not to recommend this record, so we'll recommend it to everyone; From The Hill is a well rounded full length with a really addictive quality, it's already made it on to our regular playlist and is likely to stay there for some time.