The Dylan Group

The Dylan Group. A bad name for a good band. The music of the Dylan Group has nothing in common with Bob D. (As a side remark: I can't stand that Dylan) I'm listening to an early album of the now, I think, retired band. It's called It's all about (Rimshots and Faulty wiring) and was released in 1998. One of the band members is also a member of Mice Parade. The latter band being a bit more well known, it might be illuminating to add that their music have similarities. Both have, for example, a knack of creating enigmatic grooves and otherworldly atmospheres that paradoxically still manage to feel rustic and down to earth. Both bands also exploit one of the most brilliant instruments in the world: the vibraphone. What is special about It's all about... is that is is centered around the melodies created by the vibraphone. In this regard, they tread the territory that Bohren & der club of Gore has marked as their own. (The choir appearing on Bittersweet could have been stolen from Dolores)

But the Bohren comparison is not to be stretched to far. There are other elements on this album, too, that makes it a very dynamic and exciting listening experience. Just to tickle your imagination a bit, I want to mention that there is a part of the record in which the dreamy landscape of the vibraphones is exchanged for a blizzard of merzbow-like static noise. But interestingly enough, there is also lots of percussion in here. At times The Dylan Group arrives at, for lack of a better description, the rhytmic complexity of math rock. The similarity with The Mercury Program is very striking (are they famous? I don't know.). It's all about... moves effortlessly from spikier, almost aggressive, moments to more contemplative moods. And, man, don't they even throw in some dinner jazz too! So: from the experimental to teh Corny. That is inspiring.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, you might also like: Chicago Underground Duo, The Drift, American Analog Set.