Calle Debauche

Instrumental art rockers from Tucson, Calle Debauche sure know how to have fun. They write happy music that's a delightful mash-up of Balkan folk and Mothers of Invention rock. Their unusual instrumentation — guitar, marimba, tuba, alto sax and drums — gives them both punch and precision. On many of the 13 well-crafted tunes melodies are gleefully passed around from one instrument to another in a dizzying version of musical Hot Potato, "VRF" being just one example of this inventive strategy. Of special note on the same tune is how drummer Frederic Malter at times, plays a type of percussive antiphonal counterpoint, not just the time. Guitarist Mohadev delivers a great spaghetti western melody on "Regarding Pete," with a savoury, scrunchy guitar tone, and the piece ends with a program music, wind-across-the-prairies thematic riff. The tunes on this disc will bring a smile to your face and put a bounce in your step for the rest of the day.