Slaraffenland - Private Cinema

Slaraffenland are a Danish quintet who've studied hard at the avant-garde school of Sonic Youth and mix elements of rock, free jazz, electronica, classical, and punk into some pretty eclectic chaos on their latest release, Private Cinema. Eruptions of noise follow melodic passages that eventually drift into beautiful jams that unquestionably recall the freeness of the Sonics, while added brass and woodwind instrumentation evokes the dramatic flair of Sufjan Stevens. There are even some ambient overtones reminiscent of Tortoise. Private Cinema is the first album the band has recorded with vocals, and they demonstrate a quirky Modest Mouse-like style that serves its purpose and doesn’t enhance or detract from the record. More than likely they're just for fans of post-rock, but if you’re into the styles of Nels Cline, Thurston Moore, or even Deerhoof, Slaraffenland won’t disappoint. [www.slaraffenland.net]