Pelican
Ataraxia/Taraxis (EP)

Ten years have already passed since "Australasia," the most convincing, brutal, and massive creation of the pelicans from Illinois. Proponents of a dense and instrumental sludge that over the years has eased into more "liquid" solutions, Pelican released their latest work in 2009, "What We All Come To Need," which divided opinions. Then they somewhat disappeared from the scene, before releasing a boxed set titled "The Wooden Box" and this EP "Ataraxia/Taraxis," in April 2012.

EPs often don't amount to much; more often than not, they are unnecessary fillers. But in this case, it is interesting to revisit this small work to understand on which island Pelican have landed. It is difficult to say from such a fleeting work, but something can be discerned: the initial track "Ataraxia" might create a groove in this sense. The pursuit of atmospheric solutions, almost post-rock, is clear and is reflected in a piece virtually devoid of the guitar power that permeated many of their past works.

The sulfurous stench of their debut isn't there, as those characteristics have slowly faded away, and "Lathe Biosas" also confirms a band that may have decided to focus more on the pursuit of melody, in less complex and more "circular" compositions. The track is still listenable, as is the final "Taraxis," another piece less powerful than before. A different story for "Parasite Colony," the darkest and most abrasive track of the lot, where the reflections of their muscular sludge/stoner beginnings re-emerge, and where riffs return to be the band’s fundamental marriage.

Pelican are going through a complex moment in their artistic life: this EP, while being enjoyable and much more accessible compared to the "sonic dolmens" of the past, continues to leave doubts about the artistic path that the band from Evanston has decided to take.

1. "Ataraxia" (3:20)
2. "Lathe Biosas" (4:43)
3. "Parasite Colony" (4:40)
4. "Taraxis" (5:15)