If the Beatles could have joined up with Dire Straits, and then replaced all the members with musicians from Poland, Russia, Italy and Argentina – namely Aleksandra Wagner (Keyboard), Igor Shishlove (Guitar & Vocals), Nicholas Sardo (Drums) and Pablo Garcia (Bass), they would have been called The Colour Fools…which incidentally they are! “Our music is best defined as ‘colourfool’ as it defies traditional genre borders blending elements of rock, pop, funk, blues and even bossa,” explains the band. “In live situations we always aim to transmit good vibes and positive energy that we channel through our ‘colourfool’ songs.”
The Colour Fools breathe gorgeous imagery into their musical canvases, ruminating on the personal and universal with a signature blend of bleeding heart and wry raised eyebrows. They can be direct and detailed, as on “Let’s Dance”: “I find myself on the balcony alone yeah. Smoking cigarettes, listening to the wind blow. Watching shadows of mysterious silhouettes. Dancing fabulous swings and furls.”
Yet they can veer off into being more cryptic, and still hit hard lyrically, as they are on “Oh My F*ck”: “Hymns of our youth are getting quiet. We roll the dice but have no luck. And then we open the book of disquiet and read a prayer. Oh my fuck.” In a way, The Colour Fools seem to be seeking hope and meaning in a world that seems to be decaying beyond repair. And what better way than to deliver inspiring pieces of heartwarming music.
On “Oh My F*ck”, the band is able to build energy around a minimal groove, until you’re forced to hear every possible meaning in the song. Igor Shishlove uses gorgeous guitar curlicues to embellish the head-nodding rhythm ably propelled by Nicholas Sardo’s simply tasteful drumming, and Pablo Garcia’s precise basslines. Aleksandra Wagner’s shimmering keys, gently fills the pockets in-between. It’s a near-perfect unity of sophisticated instrumentation and Shishlove’s understated vocals.
Things take a funkier turn on “Let’s Dance”, as plucked basslines meet rich brass stabs and slapping drums. However, for all the driving groove, the template never get stridently rambunctious. Igor Shishlove’s conversational tone makes sure things stay chilled and controlled, while still maintaining a sustained momentum. Though huge-sounding, the arrangement is thoroughly disciplined. So the song becomes something stirring, albeit in a nuanced and graceful way.
That subtlety is by no means an easy trick to pull off, but it seems like second nature to The Colour Fools. They’re a bunch of clever, thoughtful players with the good grace to value the creation of a sense of space above personal agendas when making music.
What follows, is filled with beautiful timbres and textures and rousing moments of groove, where each member of the band is in service of the song. The Colour Fools make music to console, inspire and convince us that there is enough joy in the world to survive in these trying times.
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