Romislokus - north of ordinary

Out of cold mother Russia comes the warm, hypnotic, haunting sounds of Romislokus. They call themselves a "post-rock band" consisting of 6 members: Yuri Smolnikov (guitar/vocal), Evgeniy Gorelov (keyboards), Mike Solo (lead guitar), Misha Brovarnik (bass), Irina Yunakovskaya (cello), Jim Moto (drums). All are talented musicians, and together they create music that evokes such thought and emotion unlike any other band I've heard, though their Pink Floyd influenced sound is obvious in almost every song. The vocals themselves often remind me of Bruce Cockburn.

Unlike most North American musicians, Romislokus is not in this venture for the money. Although you can order CD's from their website (for a modest price), all their music is offered free of charge on the website! I know of no other band whose entire catalogue can be downloaded for free!

Canadians will be interested in checking out the bands musical rendition of 'In Flanders Fields,' the wartime poem by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. A touching poem on its own, it gains new feeling when put to music.

Despite the band's awkward phrase compositions, written in mildly-broken English, their musicianship more than makes up for meaning lost in translation. Yuri Smolnikov delivers his vocals in a whimsical, free form kind of way, somehow fitting in with the music just perfectly.

Check them out. It's worth a listen, even if it's not your cup of tea.