A fair number of CDs from the Germany's Elektrohasch label have reached my mailbox in recent months, yielding me a pretty good idea of what those guys are about: liberal use of drug references, solemn reverence for 70s rock and proto-metal, long and drawn-out riffs… basically what one should expect from a label with a bud leaf in its logo.

Portugal's SATURNIA more or less fit this mold, except for one huge difference - there really isn't any rock to be found. Instead, "Muzak" is a droning blend of electronica, psychedelic and "world music" (predominantly from India). Founder/leader Luis Simões is responsible for (but not limited to) the following instruments played on this album, listed in no particular order: vocals, electric and acoustic guitar (picked, bowed and e-bowed), lap steel guitar, guitar pedals, acoustic guitar, tempura, bass guitar, organ, synth, theremin, flute, vibraphone, dulcimer harp, gong, chimes, sampled keyboards and sequencing. This, of course, doesn't count other unaccredited performances such as miscellaneous percussion and sitar (the latter of which there's a lot of). In addition, the bio on the official SATURNIA website claims that the band was "originally intended to be a free art communal project" before becoming a full time musical gig. Now if anybody has any notions of snobbery from this description, they're pretty much right. This is the kind of music to be played in one of two places: a co-op full of wannabe hippies smoking their brains out or the local Starbucks. Neither one happens to be my scene.

To be fair, props should be awarded to Simões for cramming as many different instruments as he can into each song. Unfortunately, when it's all over and done with, much like the co-op of wannabe hippies, nobody's going to really remember anything. Those that like to "take a trip" may want to give "Muzak" a try; otherwise there are plenty other Elektrohasch bands such as COLOUR HAZE and HYPNOS 69 that are far more accessible and rewarding.

- Cardona

OFFICIAL SITE: www.saturniamusic.com

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