ishq
| Format | CD |
| Country | USA |
| Recorded | 2000/2001 |
| Issued | 2001 |
| Label | Ancient Records |
| Cat no. | - |
| Playing time | 62:45 |
| Reviewer | Rikard A Toftesund |
| PARANOISE ishq |
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Paranoise evolved from the American environmental movement towards the end of the eighties. Since the start, the band's main character has been the musically highly educated anthropologist Jim Matus, who plays guitars, synths and samplers, plus a variety of ethnic instruments. Beside him, the band's line-up is quite standard; vocals, bass, drums, percussion, violin in addition to various guest appearances.
The one big issue you have to prepare for when listening to this group is that the music is consistently political. The last time Matus & co. had a record out, it was fanatically inspired by the skirmish between opponents of globalizing and the hard-hitting riot squad in Seattle, something that resulted in the critically acclaimed "Private Power" (2000). On "Ishq", the recipe is similar, a fairly heavy, but at the same time melodic, guitar-based "ethnic rock", clearly influenced by African, Arabic and Indian musical forms. This is particularly emphasised by the use of sampled recordings from rites and dances from the 3rd world, they are incorporated in a creative way, we often get the impression that the samples have been there first, and that the rock music have been added later. On top of this they have put either recitals or regular vocal lines, with radical, anti-capitalistic messages. This may sound somewhat far-fetched to some, since the "world music" that grew around 1989/90 normally is associated with artistic ideas which at best has become clichés. Well, Paranoise easily escapes this trap! The truth is that the music in itself is impressive, even if it is built around relatively simple structures, both Matis and his co-musicians maintain a very high standard.
If I shall attempt a comparison, I can only repeat what I wrote about "Private Power" last year, drive early Echolyn through a Djam Karet'ic Magellan complete with a moderate Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn, and you are nearly there. Weaknesses? Well, perhaps the fact that I haven't been able to note a clear development from the previous album. On the other hand, this is not an inferior product compared to "Private Power"; something, which makes is just as good a listening experience.
© 2002 Tarkus Magazine