Hunted from last years, The Silent Ballet’s end of year list, Tuna Laguna is one instrumental rock band from Norway that didn’t garner much attention from music press and blogs. Not surprising as well all know the music press tends to ignore bands that make solid music without bells & whistles or scene buzz.

This six-piece orchestra with proggy leanings have everything in their arsenal from regulars such as bass, drums and guitars to rhodes, glockenspiel, babypianos, banjos and computers helping them to create an effective and mature fusion. After their now soldout debut album, which is freely available here, their second one “Ripples and Swells” a complete album with eight, five minute compositions and two interludes were released last year. All the songs here feature a finetuned balance of energy, versatility and technical complexity. But don’t let the complexity scare you, at the same time it’s readily enjoyable, even radio friendly compared to other multilayered music.

Most reviews on the net are Scandinavian ones, making me wonder if their distribution sucks or somehow this mature sound didn’t appeal to young tastemakers abroad. Thankfully the rateyourmusic community has some activity, where a user rightly says they’re somewhere between Jaga Jazzist and Battles. I concur and raise it with Gong.

Tuna Laguna – On to Tarmac
Tuna Laguna – Arrival of the Rhino
Tuna Laguna – My Lunar Boots