Steve Reich Daniel Variations: A beautiful piece that transcends the term minimalism. Though the drones and repetition, of minimalism are present Reich toys with them adding subtle changes that eventually evolve into completely different patterns. Reich utilizes a fascinating harmonic language particularly during the first track. He uses dissonant chords to at times create tension, [...]
Kronos Quartet-Plays Sigur Ros
Kronos Quartet Plays Sigur Ros: Its amazing how well stripping down these songs to four acoustic string instruments, and removing the vocals actually works. The music swells and retracts then changes course keeping one completely enamored and interested at what will happen next. One of the true highlights of this album comes when one or [...]
Altenberg Trio Wein-Polish Piano Trios
Altenberg Trio Wein Polish Piano Trios: Wonderful and haunting performances of two fairly obscure Polish composers. The music is largely dark and dissonant, but in a way thats more likely to catch your interest than turn you off. The musicians are astoundingly tight, and obviously know the pieces extremely well. Great and rewarding for fans [...]
Terry Riley-Requiem for Adam
Terry Riley Requiem for Adam: A piece performed largely by the Kronos Quartet. It features beautiful melodies and intelligently juxtaposed odd meters. Riley also lends some beautiful piano work. Overall mournful yet optimistic in mood, the only downside to this disk is the second movement where Riley uses samples of bells and metal percussion to [...]
Harry Partch-The Wayward
Harry Partch The Wayward: Microtonal folk songs with lyrics Partch found various places while he was homeless, riding the rails during the Great Depression. Partch uses a 43 note scale, to craft strange folkish melodies horribly dissonant upon first listen, but beautiful once you become accustom to them. The lyrics portray hobo life during the [...]
LaMonte Young-The Well Tuned Piano
LaMonte Young The Well Tuned Piano: An ever-evolving drone oriented piece performed on a piano with a unique tuning influenced by Indian Ragas. If you ever have an afternoon to kill put on this five cd set or the more recently released DVDs and dissolve into the beautiful harmonies Young draws from his piano. Goes [...]
Glenn Branca-Hallucination City
Glenn Branca Hallucination City: Branca explores frequencies not found in the western scale with a 100 piece electric guitar orchestra. Varies from the most gorgeous harmonies you’ll ever hear, to some of the scariest and back again. Really interesting listen, but some horribly dissonant noises don’t need to be held for that long. Rating: 12/15 [...]
