Some of you might wonder what bands who don’t want to be Taylor Swift might sound like. Well, with not much more than a drumkit and a couple of violins, Ravage – Anthony Laguerre, Bastien Pelenc and Mathieu Werchowski – are the answer and they duly plough their own proverbial musical furrow with their self-titled album.
Naturally, there are no words supplied by the bands to guide the listener on their particular musical journey. Nor are this trio so far out into left field that they might be classed as avant garde for their way, similar to many bands in the European post rock style, is a rather intense intellectualism that guides their peculiar choice of instruments away from any road that leads to the autobahn of mediocrity. This album isn’t therefore a particularly easy listen as much of what happens is about generating atmosphere using violins in a way that orchestras and folk bands would never think of without ever appearing to have a particular plan in mind.
Duly and verily, Ravage are the kind of band that actually requires you to pay attention and, with their seemingly casual approach to improvisation, you might wonder where the 26 plus minutes of a track like “Nex” will take you. I am of the opinion that even asking that question is the answer.