Zechs Marquise - Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare (2009)

Zechs Marquise, which began in 2004, are based out of El Paso Texas. The band have been relentless touring machines and have gained a reputation for quirky, energetic, and music-focused performances. They are currently touring the US in support of RX Bandits and Dredg. While the bill might seem a strange fit, MarquiseΓΓé¼Γäós unique prog-groove sound melds quite well with the lumbering neo-prog of Dredg and is a nice counterpart to RX BanditsΓΓé¼Γäós ska-punk sound.Zechs MarquiseΓΓé¼Γäós sophomore release is entitled Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare, a perfect prog album title. The record was originally released digitally through Alpha Pup Records, but the band decided to release the physical CD through their own label, Rodriguez Lopez Productions.Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare is comprised of 15 tracks which are interesting, unique, winding, and occasionally a little dull.The stronger tracks are dense sonic experiments, with an infectious, memorable underpinning of hazy funk-ified rhythms. Some songs get too ΓΓé¼┼ônoodlyΓΓé¼┬¥ and esoteric for some ears, even those, like mine, attuned to the complex patterns of shifting time signatures and start/stop tempo changes. The songs donΓΓé¼Γäót venture into prog-length journeys; the longest track clocks in at a reasonable 8:03. The music has a uniquely melodic feel at times, though comparisons to The Mars Volta are going to be inevitable. All in all itΓΓé¼Γäós a decent if not explosive release.

Track list:

"In Strange Love" - 3:01
"MagMar" - 3:55
"Mistress Abyss" - 3:47
"The High Anxiety Arkestra" - 2:22
"Chase Scene" - 3:13
"Rotten Candy" - 4:10
"Attack of the 40ft. Wave" - 8:03
"Pigeon Shit" - 4:16
"Lady Endless" - 5:57
"Strapped to the Mast" - 1:17
"Sirenum Scopuli" - 5:25
"The Sounds of El Morro" - 5:14
"Wahaka Chop" - 2:04
"Black Ark Dub" - 5:01
"Our Delicate Midnight Opera" - 5:11