What good is the use of abstraction if the result is so esoteric only the creators have an inkling of an idea about what‘s been created? At his most chaotic, even Frank Zappa retained some semblance of rhythm. There is nothing remotely rhythmic or melodic on Niko Et La Berlue. The entire record plays out like a soundtrack to Poltergeist in the Balkans, relying on the inane to propel odd time signatures, babies chanting, tiny pianos, and the occasional horn. By the middle of the first song, the record becomes laughably unbearable; 11 more songs and all laughter is gone.