Mud Flow

How could Mud Flow deliver such a strong, emotional and electric album after the perfect « A Life on Standby » ? More than anything else, frontman Vincent Lieben took his time after a long tour in Belgium and France.

He continued working with Blazz (bass) and Charlie (drums) and welcomed a fourth musician: Fred Donche (keyboards). On stage, they’ll be accompanied by Frederik Leroux Roels, from Ghent. “Mud Flow is now half Flemish” smiles Vincent.

Mud Flow’s new album, « Ryunosuke », is inspired by the same name song. It is in fact a 1920’s Japanese short story writer’s name: Ryunosuke Akutawaga. And Frenchman GWL’s wonderful painting on the cover reminds of a Rising Sun. Just like on “A Life on Standby”, you can feel an atmospheric thickness and an explosive energy.

« We wanted a joyful album, says Vincent. We didn’t want another “A Life on Standby”. We asked ourselves what was missing on that album and just incorporated it to the new album. There are more instruments and vocals and we were more daring... We freed ourselves and our creativity.

The band worked this time again with Rudy Coclet, who got Vincent’s back against the wall, looking for vocal perfection, which will be conveyed on stage by a burst of energy. For the radios, a three-minutes song, « Monkey Doll » proves that this also can be done in a short song.

If we can say that Mud Flow’s first two albums (« Amateur » in 2000 and « Re’ Act » in 2001, a Mike Butcher’s production) were a first experience, “A life on Standby” and “Ryunosuke” are like brothers, with many 7 to 8 minutes songs. It is Mud Flow onw style.

Mud Flow -compared to pop rock band Flaming Lips and to Radiohead, for its love for experimentation- belongs entirely to a Belgian rock scene with international expectations.

All the band members gave it all on this new album with criminal bass lines and complex melodies. It’s all about balance, even when working with strings or a fanfare.