Trachant PAP: Trachant PAP

Listener Immersion is a voluntary aural process where, to obtain the maximum aesthetic effect of the intersection and interrelation of melody, textures, and rhythm, one simply and patiently offers oneself in toto to those elements. The result can be fulfilling and most pleasurable—or not. With Trachant (which translates as "edge" or "sharp"), delivered by three of Europe's most outstanding and insightful musicians (guitarist Pablo Montagne, bassist Andrea Gallo, and drummer, Pierluigi Villani; "PAP"), the listener's experience can be sublime.

"Gateau au Chocolat" opens with a slower droning three-pitch motif expressed by guitar and arpeggiated accompaniment. Expressively free-form, the exchanges between the trio warrant diving into with an aural blindfold. The track builds in intensity to a welcomed finality. "Little Box" is a similar textural effort with brief meditative tonal pauses. There's intensive energy throughout. It's a thought-provoking track. Montagne, who composed all the album's tracks, digs deeply into the melody. The contrapuntal exchanges here, as across the date are involved. "Drip," 30 seconds of unaccompanied guitar, warrants multiple plays to enjoy Montagne's statements. "POP UP" is a faster, driving, agitated platform that has some Heavy Metal overtones as Montagne strums fast and hard and Villani milks power from his kit. It's a fun track with great rhythmic variety.

The trio seems exceptionally comfortable in what is a highly negotiated and intense environment. This type of engagement requires great buy-in from the musicians and all three here do so with vigor and no showboating or over-shadowing.

"Nord Ovest" reverts to a more relaxed texture with arpeggiated guitar "singing" and bass responding. Villani, who presents his rhythmic support brilliantly throughout the date, is extremely comfortable supporting. Bassist, Gallo offers a similar "almost vocal" solo ride in his higher register while Montagne "slides" in agreement. This is a highlight track. The darker, ominous sounding, and multi-tempoed "Page_19" sends Montagne riffing over a creepy, deeply bellowing ostinato bass. Even more bass and bass drum here add to the id-derived mental images one might draw. One might think this is the fare for a surreal scene from "Twin Peaks." (Lynch/Frost Productions, ABC Television, 1990) "Fall" is a more animated track with Montagne arpeggiating and bass and drums responding to the efforts up on melodic top. This is another selection that has Rock overtones.

Trachant PAP is a deeply fascinating album from superior musicians. It will derive a wide array of emotions from listeners who patiently offer ear and mind without pre-conceived pretense. It is a dramatic and almost cinematic experience that will generate exceptionally sharp and edgy kaleidoscopic images and vivid colors in one's mind.