The birth of Vlor began in 1992 and sadly ended in 1998 with founding member Russel Halasz leaving the group, however like a phoenix from the ashes the new, 21st Century Vlor arrives with a new album entitled A Fire is Meant for Burning a collection of the best results from these new partnerships. There is a foray of emotion from Vlor’s latest, with tranquil yet mournful tracks like the opener “Trust in Weapons”, “Days Like Smoke” or “Weakening Blows” placing you into one mindset while other tracks such as “Wires” have a much more brooding orchestral feel.
“Potential New Sound” too has an ominous quality about it though more potent than in “Wires” is the spellbinding power of the repetitive guitar and synth composition, that enthrals you effortlessly within the atmosphere of the song.
“Houses Not Homes” meanwhile shows off some of Van Portfleet’s idiosyncratic guitar riffs via an opening that has the dark wave flare akin to all of Lycia’s releases, creating a sound, and track, that on the whole grounds the experimental release within the Post rock genre.
“Suncatcher” should be mentioned simply for Bailiff’s downplayed vocal talent and while the lack of vocals throughout the rest of the album emphasises the music, a little more of Bailiff’s input could have given an extra bit of spice to the album.
While the concept of four equally talented and lateral artists getting together conjures up ideas of some sort of avant-garde super group the reality is more humble. The end result sounding similar to countless post rock groups out there already. Though as Vlor’s modus operandi is to unite four friends and have fun playing instruments then the reality is that the listener is in a sense an intruder into the sound they create. That the sound in question is enjoyable, if generic, is neither here nor there to the important party, the musicians themselves.
