Score: 6.5/10
Element Kuuda hails from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Now, due to the almost brainwashing effect that phrase has on people, I imagine you’re now more interested in Element Kuuda then if I would have instead said, “Element Kuuda hails from Pontypool, Wales.” This presents a problem; Montreal transmits this idea of it being an ethereal, ineffable, all in all breathtaking home of music. It’s the place where a Godspeed member owns a club, the place where there’s that recording studio (or slum, depends on how you look at it really), it’s even the home of Efrim Menuch’s lovely little beard, plus, let us not forget the alt-rat-pack that resides there, with the likes of Wolf Parade and Arcade Fire often mentioned in the same breath as Montreal. Anyway, you can see the problem here, I’m guilty of it myself, Montreal shoots out musicians people tend to love and until Pontypool (or anywhere else for that matter) picks up the pace, we’re inclined to think everything Montreal produces is great.
Of course, the flip side of this is we are all the more dismissive of an act that doesn’t live up to the geographical hype. If it isn’t as choir-esque, poetic, and all around mystical as the granddaddies of Montreal, we (or at least I, if you’re still in the Montreal-loving-closet) tend to ignore, criticize, and attempt to deflate the poor musician’s ego. This isn’t fair, we don’t judge Pontypool musicians by the standards set by Pontypool, so why judge Montreal folk by their residence? Before we end up unraveling that question, let’s get back to the point of this prose; I am reviewing Element Kuuda, this is what I think of it: it is an enjoyable listen. Now, allow me to expand on this.
Element Kuuda’s EP, Le Village is a five track effort, released by Magnanimous Records in 2007. It is now 2008, you may think that Le Village is now passed its prime; this would be incorrect. The reason I’ve been leaving this review on the side is not simply a matter of laziness. Unlike his Montreal counterparts (I know, I am comparing him after all, whoops), Element Kuuda, or Christian Richer as he’s known by day, does not make winter themed albums. Le Village sounds like a bicycle ride on a spring day; it’s promising, uplifting, and there’s not a Church organ in sight. The first track “Extrait : La Trache” is perhaps not the best choice to either open with or even include on the EP -- imagine Matmos and the lighter (if there is one) side of Svarte Greiner getting together for two and a half minutes -- although this sounds like an interesting mix-up, it doesn’t fit with the rest of the EP, which is much more centered around a Colleen and Mom style use of samples and acoustic instruments.
Le Village is over rather quickly, with its total time running up to around fifteen minutes. If you’re looking for depth in this cold season (if you’re experiencing the cold, that is) then perhaps it isn’t the best record to try out, instead, why not wait till spring, when its fleeting, but interesting composition will suit that season perfectly.
Oh, please don’t hold your breath about an answer to my previous question; it’s very, very unlikely you’ll get one.
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