LITE "Phantasia" (Transduction Records) ten / ten

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These Tokyo based instrumentalists should already be familiar to Irish audiences, touring here for the third time. Their first Limerick good was so good in fact, that it was released as an album in Japan. Suffice to say the awesome live reputation they have earned themselves is totally justified, and they deliver the goods here too. The music on offer can loosely be categorised as a math-rock/post-rock hybrid, but to do so would be doing Lite a huge disservice. This album totally transcends those exhausted genres. For instance, Lite don't opt for the typical 'large ensemble' postrock line-up and don't rush towards the tiresome and overdone 'epic and emotional post-rock crescendo' either. Nor do they bombard the listener with the sheer macho/ muso angularity and narcissistic technicality normally associated with math-rock bands like Don Caballero.

Yes, the drummer, bassist and two guitarists are accomplished musicians and masters of their respective instruments but they are never self-indulgent or willfully erratic for the sake of it. Lite are a much more accessible beast, with immensely hummable riffs and totally memorable melodies; the kind of stuff that will both attract new listeners to the loosely defined instrumental genre and rekindle the interest of those cynics who thought nothing new could be done within this framework.

The best tracks here are the ones where the emphasis is simply on riffs ('Ef') or on groove ('Infinite Mirror'). The former is the opener, and a blisteringly intense one it is too! The riff is heavy and full on, and the arrangement is captivating from start to finish. The latter really shows the way the guitarists operate collectively. There is no rhythm or lead per se, but rather two interlocking selfless guitars, creating exciting layers and thrillingly complex patterns that are a joy to listen to. While the likes of 'Ghost Dance' and 'Phantasia' are mindbogglingly intricate, they are also downright funky and energetic. Never before have polyrhythmic jazz-inflected onslaughts sounded so coherent or engaging.

This is Lite's third official release, and certainly shows huge advances. The increased maturity in their songwriting is especially evident in the last track 'Sequel To The Letter', a melodic song with accompanying cello and liberal use of a loop pedal on the guitars. Hopefully this closer hints at what is to come on their next album, although it's hard to imagine any follow-up topping this offering. Simply put, this is Lite's masterpiece and it needs to be heard. Highly recommended.

Keefe Murphy
www.myspace.com/liteband

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