Something doesn't sit quite right with Victory Advancement. Perhaps the culprit is that we take it for granted that ambient/electronic post-rock exists. Be it the caustic excretions of The Timeout Drawer, the chilling stasis of Hammock, or the vibrant rock of 65daysofstatic, there are many flavors to sample from this genre and much groundwork has been covered during its short lifespan. However, many electronic artists work with a feverish diligence, completely isolated from the works of their peers. This isn't such a problem for the casual listener, but fans of the movement get a bad case of "heard this before," so any new outlook on the genre is a welcome addition. Can a duo from Petersborough make all the difference?

Roncatto Braathen awkardly fit into the modern music world. In my eyes the most successful purveyors of this art form in the year 2006 are the ones that have evolved from the highly experimental past and moved forward to a more structured sound. Aye, this is quite disheartening, for the electronica movement was created by DIY musicians who need not appeal to a higher authority, but the recent crop of musicians convincingly making me love ambient post-rock to death makes me think that more of these people are experimental for experimental's sake and not actually seeking to draw any emotional connection to their listener. But then why do we bother to listen? A valid counterpoint would be that many of these musicians have no listeners, and I concede to such an argument. Game well played.

It is with these thoughts in mind that Victory Advancement leaves a stale taste in the mouths of its listeners and feels a bit dated in the world we now inhabit. "The Melody Hunts My Reverie" pushes the limits of our patience. We are immediately thrown overboard into the icy ocean waters and no lifeboat is tossed to our aid. This ten-minute life-struggling ordeal is not without rewards. Walt Witman offers a hand on the next track and lifts us out of the cold experimental bath and into the warm synthetic embrace. Audio samples are strategically places to avoid the fall into monotony, just barely in time, and a small piano presence adds to this piece's depth. The highlight of the EP comes with "Fugue," which begins with a course, dirty guitar introduction and slowly fades into comforting computer sounds. This is the moment where Roncatto Braathen show that they aren't all wires, bolts and circuits and that human flesh -- maybe even a heart -- drives this band.

As I look over my notes for this reviews it becomes evident that Roncatto Brathen are too cerebral for their own good. These are not musicians who are mindlessly stumbling through a cd, but rather two lads who strive to be different. Once they get these initial thoughts out of their system and move onto the next stage it should be a site to behold.