Customer Reviews

Absolution

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

OK, OK, at some point the way they strut around as though they're a rock band may begin to irritate rather than intrigue. It is entirely possible that their affinity for shaking up the world of snobby classical music will become tiring some day. It's true that nothing is necessarily gained by breaking with tradition for its own sake...

All of this may well be true...

That doesn't change the fact that this is album is the work of daring and gifted musicians. Any classical band that can pull off such an earth-shattering version of Purple Haze needs to be seen and heard.

So, as I occassionally do, I was listening to the generally reliable (if a tad staid) NPR the other afternoon, when out of nowhere came a piece so compelling that I was forced to skip my coffee break to wait out the subsequent pieces just to find out what it was.

I must admit, I am no contemporary music freak. Rhythmic sequencing generally just gives me a headache, but what I heard on NPR (it was Dance Machine) was totally inspired.

This album gives the impression of a group of kids getting together to play rock and roll in the garage on sunday. Only these kids are classically trained musicians; when they play like mad it sounds like genius rather than grungy noise.

If you love music, buy this album. If you play it for your friends, they will think you are cool.

It is rare to find an album as musically pure as this. I have listened to it for the last few weeks and still find myself stunned with the opening strains of Dance Machine, eagerly awaiting the jamming Par 3, and bobbing my head to their lively interpretation of Purple Haze. This album works because it is more than just a collection of tracks, it is a well conceived whole; each track informs the nuances of the others.

If you ever have a chance to see this band live, DO NOT MISS IT. The work they do on this album is even more amazing when their expert musicians get a little room to run with it.

The energy these musicians bring to this material is enough to make any music fan happy.