Baku Llama profile picture

Baku Llama

If there is to be vibes and magic... then play on.

About Me

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Some would claim nothing new is happening in music. Others (myself included) are forced to wonder whether such people are living under a rock. Whatever genre of music you like, there are artists pushing its boundaries, but by far the most interesting modern acts are those who are truly doing something beyond any established genre boundaries. There are not many in this latter category, but what few there are, are uniformly excellent (among those I know, at least). And - cue fanfare – Baku Llama is among that group.Their music is comprised of just three major elements: drums/percussion, guitar, and keyboards, but they create a richly textured soundscape marked by jazzy keyboards in the forefront, Glenn Branca style guitar providing textures (and occasionally joining the keys in the forefront), and soft but interesting beats that propel the music forward. It doesn’t seem revolutionary on paper, but when these sounds actually come together on Eris, the sound itself is unique. As Valdez (who sent me the CD) said when I informed him that I had received Eris, “I think you will agree that it is quite different if nothing else.” As it happens, I agree that it is quite a bit different, and much more - Eris isn’t just “different,” it’s fantastic.In general, the quality of all the songs is very consistently good, with a few songs standing out as especially strong. My favorites are “Hamatsa,” “Side Two,” and “Six to Midnight,” all of which showcase the jazz-keys, Branca-guitar, driving-percussion/drums trio I mentioned before, using the combination to create tension and keep the listener riveted. “Six to Midnight” is particularly intense, with the drums holding steady as the guitar pulses in and out and the keyboards go absolutely haywire, perpetually building up to a climax that is the most captivating moment on the CD. The only other standout track is “Betrayed,” which is one of three vocal tracks on the CD. While “Betrayed” works really well, mixing powerful female vocals with the instrumental background I’ve described, the two other vocal tracks are less effective. “Eris” is, musically, one of the most interesting on the CD, but the spoken vocals feel out of place and detract from the power of actual music. I still love it because of the music, but when I listen, I always wonder what it would be like if it were instrumental. “This Time,” on the other hand, is perhaps the sole weak spot of the CD, straying from their established style into more conventional pop/rock territory. While still interesting, it feels out of place on the CD, in part because of the stylistic differences, but also in part because it just doesn’t feel “different,” as the rest of Eris does.That said, one average (for it’s not bad at all) song doesn’t ruin what is otherwise a phenomenal CD. Hopefully, future releases, will see Baku Llama improving (not that they’ve got far left to go) and producing a masterpiece. Should they leave behind vocals altogether (or at least stay closer to “Betrayed,” letting the vocals complement – rather than drive – the music) and focus on honing their tremendous ability to engage listeners instrumentally, I could easily see them returning with a masterpiece. And I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it sounded nothing like Eris. After all, coming from Baku Llama, it’s sure to be “different.” Wherever they go from Eris, however, will not change that Eris itself ranks among the strongest CDs of the decade and is a clear highlight of 2007. Highly recommended...... Aaron (pnoom) for progressiveears.com

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 1/7/2007
Band Website: cdbaby.com/cd/bakullama2
Band Members: Ann Bernath - Vokal, Bobni David Bernath - Kitara, Bas Rick Whitehurst - Klaviature
Influences: Here is our Debut album and it is called "ERIS". It is avilable for sale NOW at cdbaby.com and most .99 cent music downloaders.

Sounds Like: Satie, Doors, Hawkwind, King Crimson, Keith tippett, John Wetton, Sun Ra, Eric Dolphy, Van Der Graf generator, Procol harum, Joan Baez, Carly Simon, Robert Fripp, Emmylou Harris, David Bowie, Stranglers, Peter Gabriel, David Byrne & talking Heads, DEVO, Yoko, Sean & Julian, Irene Krall, Humble Pie, Zappa, Amon Duul II, Spirits burning, Gang of 4, WIRE,
Record Label: 57 Records
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

KING CRIMSON (Read this!)

Ricks favorite band of all time KING CRIMSON is re-booting for a series of concerts with the great Porcupine tree drummer GAVIN HARRISON in tow.  Also the phenomenal TONY LEVIN is returning to du...
Posted by Baku Llama on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:37:00 PST

ProGGnosis.com review! (Michel F.)

Eris, the debut album of Baku Llama, is at the same time intriguing and a very enjoyable musical listen. The music sounded to my ears pretty much like space rock in the tradition of Hawkwind and Ozric...
Posted by Baku Llama on Sat, 05 Apr 2008 08:18:00 PST

gnosis review by Richard Poulin

..TR> Richard Poulin 24-March-2008 Eris (2007) Ann Bernath - Drums, Vocals, PianoDavid Bernath - Guitars, Bass, Nano-PianoRick Whitehurst - Pianos, Keyboards, Vibes As much as the UK was the bre...
Posted by Baku Llama on Sat, 29 Mar 2008 05:04:00 PST

Hande Burg @ progfiles.com

Hande had some nice things to say about baku Llama.  We were very proud to be in her  webzines "Artist Spotlight"...  http://progfiles.com  is a fantastic progressive rock webzine ...
Posted by Baku Llama on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:59:00 PST

Epileptic Gibbon weighs in on "ERIS"

Here is another very well written and quite perceptive review by EPPY  (epileptic gibbon)  A well known  D.J. in The U.K.  who I hope to meet one day.......Best wishes,EppyExpect m...
Posted by Baku Llama on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:52:00 PST

A review from "Prognaut"

Baku Llama is an interesting trio from the Los Angeles area, consisting of Ann Bernath (drums, vocals and keyboards), David Bernath (guitar and bass) and Rick Whitehurst (keyboards) Their music is a b...
Posted by Baku Llama on Sat, 09 Feb 2008 08:03:00 PST

Wonderful Review for ERIS

Some would claim nothing new is happening in music. Others (myself included) are forced to wonder whether such people are living under a rock. Whatever genre of music you like, there are artists pushi...
Posted by Baku Llama on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 06:10:00 PST

Kurt's cradle

No other writer will I miss more than Kurt Vonnegut.  One of my favorites of his is "Cats Cradle" .  Today we put up an uncut unedited live jam called "Kurts Cradle".  It's a bit sloppy...
Posted by Baku Llama on Sun, 20 Jan 2008 10:34:00 PST

usaprogmusic.com review (Mike Flavin)

Baku Llama  Eris...  By Mike Flavin .......................Baku Llama's Eris is an interesting and somewhat unusual addition to the world of prog by the trio from California. I'm not sure it fit...
Posted by Baku Llama on Sat, 19 Jan 2008 09:14:00 PST

GEPR review by Fred Tafton!

Why we are proud of this review we just dont know... Baku Llama is a odd name for an odd-sounding band. What does "odd" mean in the context of progressive rock?  Oh, I don't know. I think it...
Posted by Baku Llama on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 05:05:00 PST