Ligro: Dictionary 2

Moonjune Records has performed a service for progressive-rock and jazz-fusion aficionados by propagating an influx of stellar albums by Indonesian artists and bands that morph Western traditionalism into a distinct sound spectrum. One such ensemble is the power trio Ligro that, in Indonesian lingo, translates to "crazy people." Formed in 2004, its second release, Dictionary 2 is a propulsive exposition, sparked by unanticipated shifts in direction, demanding time signatures, metallic grooves and more.

Guitarist and band founder Agam Hamzah's stinging guitar solos and brazen chord voicings complement a democratic group mindset, and the musicians' regimented manifesto cannot be undermined. In essence, they steer a proverbial roller coaster ride. Adi Darmawan opens "Stravinsky (with Bach Intro) with a classical motif, surging the band forward with badass lines, into a hardcore prog rock jaunt where the trio dishes out torridly maniacal riffs via bloodcurdling velocity. At times, the musicians gel to a dizzying pace as if they were living on the edge, but their diversity is expressively highlighted during various segments, evidenced by the Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys- like "Don Juan." Here, the band morphs the psych-rock component into a fast-break schematic, tinted with nanosecond-style speed.

The trio oscillates the momentum with spacey interludes and intricate dialogues amid stirring ebbs and flows. Ligro operates on 12 cylinders, but shrewdly tempers the dynamic in such a way that parallels plot development. A stunning program that borrows from the godfathers of jazz-rock and prog rock, while also enlightening the present with an artistic flair, often exercised with high-decibel output.

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