FAR CORNER

Ambitious tunes are centre-stage for US chamber rock ensemble.

With just three albums released in 15 years US chamber rock ensemble Far Corner haven’t exactly been prolific, but quality, not quantity, is what really counts. While possessing some of the confrontational angst of Art Zoyd or Univers Zero, there’s also an attractive melodicism in keyboardist Dan Maske’s compositions that place Far Corner on the less-austere end of the RIO spectrum. Myopia’s fastidious attention to detail is typical here; gorgeously chunky-clunky Hammond organ rocks and tips over the obstacle course chords as it cuts between slashing cello and thundering drums. Though lasting only five minutes, the audacious scope and scale of the dense, inventive orchestration is utterly enthralling, leaving one barely time to catch a breath. William Kopecky’s wilfully crunching bass brings to mind some of the force and agility of John Wetton’s brutal low-end adventures within King Crimson. Indeed, the spirit and dark arts of that outfit are summoned to electrifying effect more than once. With a panache that wears its fluent blend of virtuosity and knotty complexity remarkably lightly, Risk manages the not-too-easy trick of being uncompromising and accessible.