Biota

Biota: Half A True Day

by Glenn Astarita
January 27, 2008

It took six years to complete Half A True Day, and Biota's sixth album rings like a continuous piece that is subdivided into reference points or placeholders. Nonetheless, the large ensemble's singular permutations of prog-rock and dream-laden swashes of layered textures are glowingly iterated here. It's an acoustic-electric brew featuring the use of unorthodox instrumentation, where the band incorporates Moog synths, strings, accordion, horns and other tools of the trade into a multifaceted feast for the mind's eye. ...

BIOTA: Invisible Map

by Glenn Astarita
June 1, 2001

Invisible Map represents the eagerly anticipated follow up to Colorado-based BIOTA’s 1995 release, Object Holder. Here, the large ensemble continues their distinctive melding of multicolored psychedelic dreamscapes, bustling backbeats, odd-metered rhythms, unfathomable EFX and much more. Throughout these thirty-seven pieces, the band pursues disparate textures of sonic beauty consisting of integrated themes amid existential implications along with the angelic vocals of Genevieve Heistek.

Basically, BIOTA’s modus operandi features homogenous abstract/folksy musings surrounded by traces of Middle Eastern motifs, Indian ragas, ...

BIOTA: Object Holder

by Glenn Astarita
April 1, 1999

“Object Holder” is Biota’s 12th release and as we celebrate the origins of Biota with the re-release of the Mnemonists “Horde” (see AAJ April 99’ review) it seems appropriate to shed some light on Biota’s latest release. Analogous to the music and era depicted on “Horde” which was recorded 20 years ago, “Object Holder” is a fascinating endeavor that illustrates the impetus and cutting edge strides this band has made since the early 1980’s.

Released in 1995 and recorded between ...