UMUR
"Exploring Beauty" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Danish avant garde/experimental rock act Düreforsög. Düreforsög has undergone some drastic changes both in their lineup and in their general music style since their debut album "Knee (1997)". In the lineup department percussion wizard Rune T has sadly left and a second guitarist Mads Heldtberg has been added to the lineup. Rune T´s crazy percussion was defining for the sound on "Knee" and even though drummer Andreas Hauer-Jensen now also plays percussion there are no percussion parts like the jaw-dropping ones on "Knee". The music style has as mentioned also changed quite dramatically since "Knee". Gone are the death metal growling and heavy distorted metal parts. Those elements along with the extensive use of synth and programming on "Exploring Beauty" means that it could almost be two different bands who released the two albums.
The music on "Exploring Beauty" is influenced by alternative rock, post punk and there´s actually only a slight avant garde edge left. The only song with an aggressive attitude that reminds me a bit of the music style on "Knee" is "Rubber Man" where Boriz Schiøler semi-growls. Boriz mostly sings in his normal voice range on "Exploring Beauty". The rest of the songs have an alternative rock/ post punk vibe. The quality of the songs is very high though and at no time during the playing time do I find the music trivial. On the other hand it doesn´t excite me in the same way as the crazy music on "Knee" either. It´s worth noting that Düreforsög are great fans of The Residents and also play a cover of "Living in Vain". It sounds intriguing but I don´t know the original. The Mike Patton faschination that was very obvious on "Knee" is for the most part not a part of the music anymore.
The musicianship is good and at times even excellent. But it´s seldom that Düreforsög really excites me with fast or unexpected sections anymore.
It´s noteworthy that Peter Schneidermann aka Peter Peter (Sods, Sort Sol, Bleeder) is credited as co-producer on the album. Düreforsög is credited for the production themselves. The sound quality is strong and professional.
"Exploring Beauty" isn´t what I had expected after the excellent and strange debut album but it´s a good alternative rock album with avant garde moments and it deserves a 3 star rating.