Keri remains the latest release from Phlox who are an excellent high energy jazz rock band from Estonia. They are still around and playing live so the possibility exists for new material. On their prior studio album from 2010 I wrote: "Talu sees Phlox tightening up the ship a bit, and keeping some of the looser components of their sound on the leash. If you're looking for a fiery brand of Canterbury influenced fusion with shredding guitar, fuzz keyboards and bass, sax and flute, then look no further than Estonia's Phlox."
And that applies here as well. The album in between these two is a live effort and a little bit more unhinged, to be expected given the setting. To be honest, after hearing Keri for the first time four years ago, I was a bit disappointed. Mentally I had categorized it as "too much of the same thing". And while it's true that Keri doesn't match Talu in either melodic development nor energy, the album does possess high amounts of both. I think I just needed a break from hearing too many of these type of albums at once. The break from intense jazz rock was good for me because as soon as this hit the changer I was fully immersed. Phlox has a wonderful thick analog sound without being retro in the slightest. I enjoyed a +1 listen last night which is closer in alignment with their other output.
Ownership: CD: 2017 MKDK. Digipak purchased a couple of years after release.
7/12/19 (first listen); 11/10/23 (review / new entry)
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