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Album review


Izabo mix rock & Arabic spices

Second album: Super Light


Paris 

21/04/2009 - 

Israeli rock band Izabo emerged on the scene two years ago now with their acclaimed debut album The Fun Makers. Now the foursome are back with an eagerly-awaited follow-up: Super Light, a brilliant action-packed mix of psychedelic rock, intense disco beats and Arab-flavoured guitars.

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Izabo, who are supported by the independent Parisian label Roy Music (responsible for discovering a number of hot new rock talents including Mademoiselle K), made their mark at the Transmusicales festival in Rennes back in 2006. And since then they have set out to conquer the notoriously fickle French rock crowd. The Israeli foursome, fronted by lead singer and guitarist Ran Shem-Tov, caused a big buzz with their debut album The Fun Makers, whipping up a wild and totally original mix that sounds a bit like Talking Heads crossed with the legendary Egyptian diva Oum Kalsoum.

Izabo's second album, Super Light, is as wonderfully baroque and improbable as their first, catching even the most recalcitrant listeners up in its kaleidoscopic whirl of sound. Slow Disco, the first single release from the album, is powered by catchy guitar riffs and an infectious chorus line and proves Izabo's force as a dance machine. Confusion, Shawarma Hunters and the title track Super Light delve into the same pulsating disco vein, but the band put an innovative spin on things, too, adding in ultra-high female backing vocals, mighty breaks and the odd synthesiser here and there.

Other tracks such as Top of the Line and Only Only draw heavily on Arabic sounds which twist and weave behind the band's funky basslines. But the absolute stand-out track on Izabo's second offering is Are we good, a brilliant psychedelic interlude on which Ran Shem-Tov shows off his guitar skills. Take it from us, Izabo are one of the most interesting UFOs spinning through the rock galaxy - and the best way to enter the band's stellar universe is to get your hands on a copy of Super Light right now! 


 Listen to an extract from Slow Disco
Izabo Super Light (Labeleh Records/Roy Music)

Jérôme  Pichon

Translation : Julie  Street