Secret Oyster certainly provide food for thought to R13
It's not often you are sent a CD that truly offers something fresh and original for your listening pressure, even the most progressive and modern stylings found in bands like the Mars Volta are still somewhat expected, somewhat known. Therefore when I was sent the re-release of the 3rd album from Danish Jazz-Rockers Secret Oyster, 'Vidunderlige Kaelling' I really wasn't quite sure what to make of it. This album was originally composed in the 70's, the heyday of progressive musical ideas and art and was originally commissioned for a ballet by Flemming Flindt erotic poetry of Jens August Schade. Not another generic album, then!
From the Indian influenced sounds of 'Astarte' to the accordion led 'Valse Du Soir' and the obvious Latino stylings of 'Tango-Bourgoisie' the keyword and main appeal of this album is variety. Whilst of course we have the 70's progressive rock, the jazz influences and the more downbeat style wherein Secret Oyster rather than rushing to make a musical point of sorts, like many bands of these days do, take the entire length of the track to build up a more intricate web of sounds, the main appeal of the CD is due to its more exotic stylings and influences that make these instrumental tracks stand apart both from similar bands to Secret Oyster and from one another.
However, due to its nature purely as a soundtrack to a ballet this album obviously lacks vocals and therefore in turn also lacks any lyrics to speak of. Whilst such things are preferable to my ear simply to create variety and mood, they are not always required either. However, whilst the music is varied and conveys the variety of moods and emotions it would have originally been intended for, without prior knowledge of the ballet or its plotline the themes that Secret Oyster are trying to convey can become rather muddled and confused to the listener and whilst the music is always enjoyable it can seem aimless without the obvious action it was intended to be partnered with making listening to this CD a curious experience where ones enjoyment is baffling and you are never quite sure what to think of each track.
This is a musical oddity, there is no doubting that and I would be a liar if I claimed this CD had anything resembling wide mass-appeal. However, if you're a fan of any more cerebral, laid back and inventive music then this CD will certainly provide food for thought. 'Vidunderlige Kaelling' is a mixed bag and represents both the great and not-so-great of the musical experimentation the 70's have provided us with.