Ciautistico! by XXL (Xiu Xiu Larsen)

Released in 2005 on Important.

A collaboration album between Xiu Xiu and Larsen. Both bands are no strangers to the more experimental side of music. I read that this album was recorded over the course of 11 days in Torino, Italy. They said they tried all ideas and every mistake.

On Ciautistico! you get a variety of things. Some songs are more minimal in approach, some have a quirky electronic theme, some are close to being standard post rock. All the songs have a very abstract vibe to them and make use of a variety of unconventional sounds and instruments, like glockenspiels, accordions, theremins, etc.

The songs are sometimes lush and layered, other times the music is very sparse and minimal, concentrating more on sustained notes and some electronic drones. Sometimes very emotional, confessional vocals are used, sometimes there's female spoken word, although the majority of the album in instrumental.

A very intriguing album, full of weird surprises and sounds. At times, the album seems to lose some it's focus and meanders a little too far. But I did dig the overall feel of the album, with it;s washes of sound, gentle noise and alien harmonics. Reminded me of Stars Of Lid, Four Tet and Anthony and The Johnson's all rolled into one.

Recommended if you like the gentle, playful but also emotional side of experimental, abstract kind of music.

3.6/5

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[heyjudas]

damn, g. do you ever sleep?

[YoureWrongImRight]

Hell, no !

[officernarc]

i'm great!  thanks for asking!

i hate to be a bother, but would you ever consider doing a video(s?) where you discuss your all-time-favourite records?

[PhillipThunderGrunge]

lol..hey man you want to listen to some Queer Pop?

[DeerlikeSEX]

This is fucking retarded

[theneedledrop]

Xiu Xiu was never my favorite, but this sounds worth checking. Plus, I've never heard Larsen!!!! O__o

[theneedledrop]

I second this.

[nikkolamur]

this sounds really interesting, seems xiu xius voice melts really good with this kind of slower atmospheric music

[Noyjeetut]

Crazy all the labels we give music. :P

[MonMccool123]

Queer pop. That's just awesome. That would just be weird to ask your guy friends, hey you want to listen to some queer pop. I really need to get to listening to Xiu Xiu. They seem to get good reviews often.

[tiwtta]

@officernarc GEREAT IDEA!!!