Colouratura, an art rock trio from the Ohio Valley USA, have reissued their fourth album “WTF Was That?!” on vinyl on Melodic Revolution Records (Amplified Distribution). Sporting a fresh new mix from bandleader and producer Ian Beabout, “WTF Was That?!” is a varied and ambitious record inspired by West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania life and folklore.
The band
consists of Ian Beabout (flute, synths, backing vocals, production),
Nathan James (bass, vocals, piano), and Derek Pavlic (guitars, viola,
mellotron, synths, glockenspiel, vocoder), aided by distinguished guests
including Refestramus’ Derek Ferguson (drums and percussion), plus talented
friends including drummer Dave Trik of
Brimstone Coven, and Chris Boros (mellotron). The name,
Colouratura was conceived by Nathan James as a metaphor on the various
stylistic shifts implemented by the band - together they draw on the likes of
metal, prog, pop, funk and folk music.
About the
album’s production and vinyl reissue, Beabout says that remixing the vinyl has
“given our album new life! Thanks to this sonic overhaul I feel it better
represents what we all had in mind when writing and recording it, because when
we finished the album for CD and digital release, I was limited by a dying
MacBook. When I upgraded my production gear and software, I felt it was a good
time to revisit the sonics of the recording. I think it now has a fuller, more
robust sound.”
The vinyl has
a beautiful presentation, including a light blue splatter design and a full
color insert with the band photo. An unboxing video can be viewed on Beabout’s
YouTube channel https://youtu.be/KEmRm8BNc60?si=cRi0p8nBpPe6Mbn5. Songs from the new vinyl mix can be heard on the group’s Bandcamp
page. colouratura.bandcamp.com/album/wtf-was-that-2024-lp-remix.
“The original
version will always be the canonical one, it is the one on streaming,” says
Beabout, “but to me the album is finally finished and it is something I’m very
proud of.”
Press:
"Honest
‘70s-style rock music with nods to early Wishbone Ash, early Tull and Traffic
even as hints of Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and Anekdoten creep in here and
there. A thoroughly satisfying listen!"
-Steve
Roberts, ZNR Records
“The band's
music is more progressive than progressive. The album offers a sound that is
more like so-called ‘mixture rock’ than ‘progressive rock,’ as if their musical
tastes are all stewed together. What awaits the listener after listening to the
playful and free-spirited arrangements, which will betray the listener's
expectations? This is a work that you should definitely hear for yourself.”
- CDs Vinyl
Japan Store
“The results
are vertiginous-- blissed-out and blessed in the music’s festive concern: let’s
just hope the ‘was’ in ‘WTF Was
That?!’ doesn’t mean this record is the group’s
last.”
- Dmitry
Epstein, dmme.net review
“This does
not seem like a modern recording at all, as there is something about it which
cries analogue as opposed to digital and playing a download just seems wrong as
this should be vinyl, nothing less. This is music which has been allowed to
breathe and move in whatever direction it needs to.”
- Kev
Rowland, ProgArchives Review
“This is
their fourth release and they are making waves with their 'off the wall' music
and sounds. I find this to be a real treat for all listeners. I must admit,
they have a great '70s sound, Are they true hippies in 2023?”
- Jim
Allford, Steel Notes Magazine
“Takes the
music seriously, but it doesn’t take itself seriously!”
- Jason
Berry, CatSynthTV
