Pyrrhura - Off the big road

Pyrrhura

Off the big road
TAR in a TOR; 2014

3.7 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Back in 2012 Milan T. Jr started his one-man project Pyrrhura and he has released a numbers of album since then. Last year when Sean Dennison reviewed In the Middle of the Forest he described it as a unique, eclectic album in which as he used words like baroque and tribalism to describe the album. After listening to both In the Middle of the Forest and his latest Off the big road it can be said it is many ways feels like an extension. 

Pyrrhura has an original style that is hard to define but for the sake of simplicity the music often sounds what Sunset Rubdown might compose if they were less of an indie rock band and wrote music for plays There is an abundance of instrumentation but the music itself feels spacious giving it plenty of room to breathe. You find atmospheric pads, piano, electronic drums, strings and more. The music and mood itself can best be explained by looking at the album cover. There is mysterious often, ominous feeling that you get when listening to the music. It may not be for everyone but it certainly feels original.

The album begins with a sparse song called “Cloud of Thoughts,” which sounds as if something you would hear at a young child’s piano recital. I’m not sure how much irony was put into this song but it often feels like that especially when he exaggerates his voice. There is an appealing quality to the song that is hard to pinpoint. 

“Waiting Room” is a haunting, atmospheric piece that would be perfect for a contemporary take on a story like Hansel and Gretel. Towards the end of the song drums entered into the music, which I felt were a bit too prominent.

“Spring is Coming” is the first introduction to strings and is really a two-part song. The first couple of minutes revolve around vocals, guitar and some loose percussion that dissipates and resurges as a more festive but sloppy sounding congregation of instruments. “Lake” is a long acoustic piece while “Keep It On Mind” is a somber instrumental piece that sounds like something you heard on Twin Peaks.

Overall, there are a lot of odd but enjoyable moments on this album. Check it out and see if this is up your alley.   

official website

bandcamp