Isobar, Californian purveyors of instrumental prog fusion shenanigans are back, continuing their penchant for whacky track titles, and more sober and predictable album titles. Actually, who knows, they may do a Zeppelin and come up with an actual title for album number five, but in the meantime, welcome to Isobar IV!
It’s actually been out since August, but it would be a shame to miss this release as it is possibly their strongest collection yet. All the usual ingredients are present, from the basic trio line up (Jim Anderson on bass, Malcolm Smith on guitar and Marc Spooner on keys), augmented as usual by drummer extraordinaire Mattias Olsson from Änglagård, and guest appearances here and there to add colour. The songs are generally jazz based, with complicated guitar/keyboard written ‘melodies’, but also incorporating distinctly proggy passages, often using mellotron, and occasionally crossing into ambient territory as the mood takes them. Olsson is amazing, his propulsive shifting rhythms and time signature changes an essential part of Isobar’s palette. Most tracks incorporate contrasting passages of Zappa inspired technical complexity and more melodic dreamy moments, all wrapped in a tasty fusion coating, and the overall effect is very entertaining.
Rational Anthem introduces itself with sounds of a crowd of people, then the strains of some kind of wonky medieval anthem before a mellotron theme takes over. Guitar and bass weigh in, followed by electric piano, then Olsson joins and we are off on a Canterbury style prog jazz romp. Parts remind me of Zopp, particularly the use of multiple keyboard sounds, from ancient organ layers to more modern synth embellishment. The main melody is picked out on electric guitar, and builds a head of steam underpinned by some rather good bass pedal action, just to reinforce Isobar’s prog credentials. It’s one of the most memorable tracks, and has something for everyone.
CatAtomic continues with a lively but melodic theme, and has a lovely pastoral segment with acoustic guitar and synth, and a superb violin solo from Trevor Lloyd. The band’s sense of humour is never far away, and one of the split second pauses leaves room for a little meow! After this section, we ease back into the busier main theme again before ending with another appearance of the studio feline. The band’s ambient leanings are most obvious on the intro to That I Know Of, with its keyboard heavy textures, and the closing section of Master Moot Meets The Unwashed Cousin, which sounds very much like ‘80’s Tangerine Dream in style.
Elsewhere, we have a rather abstract Return To Forever vibe going on in Startling Over, again highlighting the percussive skills of Mattias Olsson, and showcases Jim Anderson’s excellent bass work which underpins so much of the complex madness throughout Isobar IV. He also excels on the funk jazz workout Strangling Dandelions, where Smith and Spooner play the tricky melody in unison to perfection before we slip effortlessly into a slower more reflective section. It underlines how no song on this album stays in one place; mood changes abound, and there is interest around every corner. Throne Rubber contains the added bonus of trumpet and sax accompaniment courtesy of Evan Weiss and Ben Bohorquez respectively. It’s a lively fusion exploration with tricky rhythmic devices playing simultaneously at times, but the trumpet/sax melody somehow anchors the piece, despite the guitar and mellotron dalliances which crop up!
Phonosphere is spacey and strange, and again the use of multiple keyboard sounds is noticeable, with piano, organ and synth all employed. It might sound too much, but somehow it works! Telephone Game brings the album to a crescendo, with Crimson style riffing, synth stabs and angular guitar interjections jostling with crisp drums and electric piano and Mini Moog moments before the very proggy ending. The crowd sounds and wonky anthem which opened the album return to bookend the record in an oddly satisfying way.
I have to say that having lived with Isobar IV for a few weeks now, it’s treasures have got under my skin, and I’ve really enjoyed it. At first listen, it can sound a bit dense and difficult, but the more you play it, the more it opens up and reveals it’s worth. The musicianship is first rate, and the experimentation and invention in each composition is hugely impressive, so Isobar IV has an awful lot to recommended it.
TRACK LISTING
01. Rational Anthem (7:16)
02. CatAtomic (7:24)
03. That I Know Of (6:21)
04. Startling Over (5:29)
05. Master Moot Meets The Unwashed Cousin (7:31)
06. Strangling Dandelions (5:41)
07. Partial Zero (6:22)
08. Throne Rubber (6:39)
09. Phonosphere (6:15)
10. Telephone Game (7:51)
Total Time – 66:50
MUSICIANS
Jim Anderson – Bass
Malcolm Smith – Guitars
Marc Spooner – Keyboards
~ With:
Mattias Olsson – Drums, Percussion
Trevor Lloyd – Violin (1,2 & 10)
Evan Weiss – Trumpet (8)
Ben Bohorquez – Saxophone (8)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
Date of Release: 9th August 2024