Miriodor

Montreal’s Miriodor celebrate 25 years as a group with this astonishing double record. Long known as the primary Canadian exponent of the European-based RIO (Rock In Opposition), Miriodor have withstood a number of line-up shifts to arrive at their most recent incarnation as a sextet, which includes core members Pascal Globensky, Bernard Falaise, Rémi Leclerc, Nicolas Masino, and recent converts Marie-Soleil Bélanger and Marie-Chantal Leclair. As their sixth release suggests, they continue to create infectious avant-garde, prog rock together that is strange and inventive. Parade is Miriodor’s latest album proper and, true to form, the band create a soundtrack for the oddest animated film never made. Pieces like "Pyramide” and "Uppsala” feature unique interchanges between virtuoso guitars, adventurous drums and bass, mesmerising strings, pervasive turntables, and playful horns. A song like "Scarabée” crosses Rush with the Mothers of Invention to startling effect and is a stunning example of the wondrous musicality of Miriodor. A second disc reveals the band in fine form as they’re captured live at the 2002 NEARfest in Trenton, New Jersey. Playing songs from acclaimed albums Mekano and Elastic Juggling, Miriodor are on fire during this spirited performance and the crowd responds in kind to their dramatic shifts in time and tone. All told, this is a priceless collection from a group who continue to create joyful jazz-rock at its best.