Davey
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2002
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I was listening to the excellent Selenography by Rachel's this morning, that neo-classical indie rock collective that operates somewhat as a small chamber orchestra with viola, cello, piano and horns often mixed with drums/percussion, guitar and electric bass. Very nice album from 1999 on Quarterstick Records. I wonder when they are gonna put out something new? This last one is a little more accessible than the two previous ones I have, Music For Egon Schiele and The Sea and The Bells, which are both more structured and orchestral in nature. The Sea and The Bells is excellent though and very recommended. I have both on vinyl and the sound is very good. I think Selenography is mostly recorded live with all the musicians present together in the same room and the CD has a nice sound. I'd be interested in opinions. Is it classical music for people that haven't been exposed to "real" classical music? I've heard those type of coments before, but I don't think that's the case. The instrumentation is somewhat different than a real chamber orchestra and, in the case of Selenography, there are actually rock and electronica elements introduced which does make it quite different than just about anything else you might hear in either the classical genre or in rock. And I do have an appreciation of much classical music but still enjoy this music as well so I don't think it comes off as classical lite at all.
But I also enjoy much of Roger Eno's classical work too, which one could probably argue is kind of like classical lite. If you haven't heard his The Flatlands album from 1998 though, I would highly recommend it. It might be described as 18 chamber orchestra vignettes, somewhat experimental and ambient sounding, but relying on the sound of acoustic instruments for the ambience instead of the synthesized soundscapes his more famous brother often uses. The individual "songs" each have their own dynamics and flow but the overall sound is what I like most, almost like a series of sketches to tell a story. Admittedly, I don't know what the story is, but I still like it
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NP: Cat Power You Are Free - Best album of 2003? Might be for me, still early....but a strong contender. That's a subject for another post though
But I also enjoy much of Roger Eno's classical work too, which one could probably argue is kind of like classical lite. If you haven't heard his The Flatlands album from 1998 though, I would highly recommend it. It might be described as 18 chamber orchestra vignettes, somewhat experimental and ambient sounding, but relying on the sound of acoustic instruments for the ambience instead of the synthesized soundscapes his more famous brother often uses. The individual "songs" each have their own dynamics and flow but the overall sound is what I like most, almost like a series of sketches to tell a story. Admittedly, I don't know what the story is, but I still like it
.NP: Cat Power You Are Free - Best album of 2003? Might be for me, still early....but a strong contender. That's a subject for another post though
