Luna Park

After a brief diversion with their stage soundtrack recording Monkey!, Kila returns to task with another clinic in rhythmic, melodic, original music performed on Irish instruments. Kila excels in heavily layering their instruments with varying dynamics, slowly building to crescendos of orgasmic proportions and tapering off to a gentle conclusion, techniques best exemplified on "Glanfaidh Me" and "Baroki." The surprise track on Luna Park is "Beilin Meala," a beautiful, haunting piece with an underlying 1950s doo wop vibe. Sung in Gaelic and featuring low whistles, fiddle, double bass, and electric guitar, this song alone is worth the price of the album. Yes, it's out of character for this band, but its simplistic allure is intoxicating. Also veering from their expected instrumental and vocal tendencies is the gentle a cappella piece "Maith Dhom." But given Kila's full range of emotions and dynamics, this track serves as a reminder of the band's scope. In the realm of contemporary Irish music, Luna Park is a sheer masterpiece. ~ Dave Sleger|

ケルトの本場アイルランドが輩出した奇想天外な7人組、キーラ。3年ぶりとなる待望の新作が登場だ。伝統的旋律を際立たせるためにリズム面での革新を実行してきたケルト音楽にとって、カリブやアフロ、中近東などのリズムをざっくり咀嚼した彼らの存在は今でも異彩。その魅力が全開となった今作は一大叙事詩さながらのスケールで、ジャム・バンド顔負けの怒濤のグルーヴを展開。全11曲、約65分を一気に駆け抜ける。
bounce (C)若林 裕司