Fortunately for all, Vanessa Van Basten is not the name of the latest female pop diva. Instead, they are a two-piece instrumental duo from Italy that draws heavily from the worlds of post-rock, metal, and shoegaze. This recording is the band's debut EP reissued on a stunning two-tone colored 12" LP. The album was previously only available as CD-R in their homeland, but now the album is available here in the U.S. for the first time.
The six tracks that comprise this recording bring together a variety of influences. While most noticeable is the duo's influence from the world of post-rock and metal hybrids, there are also elements of others found throughout. The band makes their way through song after song of guitar-driven instrumentals by dabbling in ambient guitar noodling as well as heavier dense metal chugs. Intertwined amongst the music are electronic gadgetry and samples from notable films - Dune, Mulholland Drive, Zerkalo - in Italian of course.
Listening to Vanessa Van Basten was a relaxing and enjoyable experience. By the time the record and been flipped and played through I was itching to hear more. Fortunately the band has a few other recordings to wet my appetite.
