Farny Frankova - French Cello Music - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Franz Bartolomey - Art of the Cello [COMPACT DISCS] date 03/22/2005

New music with entertainment value can be found in the works of Benjamin Scheuer. On the surface, his music surprises with humorous, crazy sounds and playful elements. In the background, Scheuer shapes his compositions, which often consist of various miniatures, in a very precise and complex way. InchHis preference for whimsical sounds, dislocated vocals and weird gestures is, of course, evidence of a wild sense of humor, but at the same time it demonstrates an indestructible musicality and, yes, seriousness,Inch says booklet author Gordon Kampe. In the song cycle InchImpulsive LiederInch, which gives the album it's title, Scheuer illuminates an idea, a particular sound or a process in each track, dissecting and exaggerating them. The use of the simplest electronic means lends the pieces a lo-fi-aesthetic and often leads the listener astray. In addition to three ensemble works, two solo pieces, interpreted by Vanessa Porter and Nikolai Rosenberg, complete the portrait both as audio and video. Here it becomes clear that Scheuer makes use of a broad palette of sounds rubber pig, kazoo or unrolling party horn can be heard as well as traditional instruments. And last but not least, his compositional focus lies on people and their voices, as in InchLachtherapieInch (Laughter Therapy), in which the pianist amazes with crazy nuances of laughter.

Further Out, the anticipated debut full length from the reclusive Indiana trio Cloakroom, can be defined best as an exploratory sonic mission. From the album's opener, a Paperweight, the crushing force of a wall of distorted bass and pounding drumming collapses to uncover the airy, reverb-soaked vocals of guitarist Doyle Martin, who carrying a sullen burden that seems just as weighed down.