Ütopiya? not only continues Oiseaux-Tempête's first album (SR 381CD/LP); it also extends it. The travels move this time to Istanbul and Sicily, providing the food for its urgent energy and indomitable drive. While the structures still hint at moments of post-rock, they go further now, almost into the area of free-jazz yet without losing a directness rooted in punk (highlighted perhaps by the presence of G.W. Sok from The Ex). In addition, the bass clarinet of Gareth Davis references both the roughest of experiments of Akosh Szelevényi and The Stooges' Fun House. There are, so the story goes, sea birds that reveal themselves only at times of approaching storms. This story though, is a little more complicated. For some, the pipers riding the deluge, yet for the mariner the prophets in the lingering final moments of calm. Ultimately, are they the creator or created if the existence of one requires the other? It is this Mediterranean Sea that Oiseaux-Tempête chose to roam. More or less anchored in Paris, Oiseaux-Tempête is the result of the meeting between Frédéric D. Oberland and Stéphane Pigneul (members of both Farewell Poetry and Le Réveil Des Tropiques) and Ben McConnell (Beach House, Marissa Nadler). For Ütopiya?, the group is expanded with the addition of bass clarinet virtuoso Gareth Davis. CD presented in eight-page digipack. Limited edition double LP pressed on marbled vinyl; includes download code. "Palindrome Series (Live at Saint-Merry)" available on CD and via download code. File under experimental, stoner, post-rock, ambient, free music.