tikichris

I tend to steer clear of music reviews. Despite being a music snob with very strong opinions, I just don’t care to blather on about the subject. There are plenty of other folks out there willing to share their two cents about their musical tastes. Besides, I already blather on (and on) about enough things as it is.  However, when the only person that’s ever had the pleasure of getting kicked out of a third world country with yours truly sends me his band’s latest release, well, I kinda feel obliged to spread the word.

The person?  Luis Fraire – drummer, drum machine programmer, sampler and visual mixer for the Massachusetts based instrumental band, the Pandas. The country? Mozambique (where about twelve years ago, good ole Louie and I found ourselves with one way bus tickets to South Africa due to … um … buy me a beer sometime and I’ll tell ya the whole goofy story).  What I will share now is my memories of our last days in Mozambique and the subsequent weeks bumbling through South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe:  we were always playing music. It was Louie’s passion. It was my hope – and assumption – that he would continue making it, and I’m so pleased that he still does.

The Pandas are a four piece. Their music is spare, but I wouldn’t call it minimal. Maximal seems a better description: soundscape-y and textured, experimental and ambient but with enough pop sensibility to keep the songs in check. Their music ranks among the ultimate background music in my collection. But I assure you that it’s exceptional foreground music also.

You are the Weather is the third batch of songs by the Pandas. Their last effort, Solutions, was certainly solid and thoroughly enjoyable but I think I like this new release a little more.  The roughly 45 minutes of music which comprise You are the Weather has provided the perfect inflight entertainment for a handful of recent flights I’ve taken. Listening to these engaging songs while gazing upon the Alps from one’s window seat is a wonderful experience.

Give the Pandas a listen (AND BUY THEIR MUSIC!) at www.pandaphonics.com. You’ll be glad you did.

Photography by Kae Collins.