Colorado band Meniskus understands the fundamental nature of music as a platform by which poignant exploration and enhanced consciousness can virtuously stand upon. The expressive musical surge owned by this trio of; Eric Ostberg (lead vocals/violin), Brian Bardusco (guitar/percussion), and Chris Wright (drums/keyboard), continues to exist as powerful , yet tenderly seductive outpourings of ripened individuality and prowess.
The group’s debut album, The Wall of Sound was released in 2005, echoing a revival of early nineties trip-hop stylings through a unique layering of downbeat instrumentals and entrancing vocals. With 2007 sophomore LP, Foreign Beyond, Meniskus further endorsed their experimental nature creating sounds beautifully reminiscent of progressive U.K. bands like Portishead and Coldplay on tracks such as; “Occurred To” and “Letters.” Varying between soothing, ambient rhythms to hypnotic, danceable tempos, the band’s second album intensely reverberates in unhindered vocal depth and textured instrumentals.
Meniskus’ collective grip on genre-fusion ranging from mood to reggae…to every sensibility in between has been amply highlighted by their first two albums and delightfully confirmed once again by new single- “The Partyer.” Adding agreeably to their eclectic repertoire, this new tune is a colorful, upbeat representation of reggaeton off-beats and Caribbean-infused ska. The defining difference in this unassuming contribution is a certain carefree, SoCal sand and surf ease. “The Partyer” is transcendent- an apex of effortless fusion freely taking on a life of its own and rightfully characterizing Meniskus as the calm and storm all in one. Fingers crossed that it just may be the gateway track to a Zenyatta-esque third charm.
