Deep Dark United, Ancient (CD)

Toronto's Deep Dark United combine a strange set of ideas and influences on 2004's Ancient.  Alex Lukashevsky's complex compositions and narrative lyrics vaguely recall Peter Blegvad's work with Slapp Happy.  The arrangements seem to draw from rock music (electric guitar and piano are sometimes prominent), but the drive and energy is created without relying on a rhythm section.  The featured role of horns and winds playing abstract lines reminds me a bit of Henry Cow.  The close-mic'ed recording definitely borrows from rock traditions, though the sound quality itself is unremarkable.  Hints of a range of influences peek through, including perhaps Tom Waits, the Contortions, and Neutral Milk Hotel.  Ancient is a really distinctive album with great songwriting and playing, and the folded-up poster packaging works great too.