"Mystero". Here's where the cool sound of the sax/viola combo begins to shine. A five chord ostinato defines the song's foundation before the drums come in to tug at and annoy that foundation. The sax and viola begin to play a very Ornette-like (or maybe it's Time Berne-like, I can't decide) melody. This short span of 'normal' is followed by a longer segment of what seem like Prime Time improvisations...all commenting on the foundation chords. Tension builds.
"Shining Through". An almost-ballad. The pretty theme is first stated by a piano/viola duo. Random zots of static add texture (no, there's nothing wrong with your CD player). Gee, this almost sounds normal...maybe like Eno's ambient stuff...but then all of the funhouse music counter-themes edge their way in. It's like a song slowly losing its mind.
"Prismatica". An edgy , lurching electro-jazz raveup. The piano careens around the room, the viola tries to follow without stumbling and the sax makes fun of the proceedings. Don't try to dance to this, you will hurt yourself. Davis King's drums somehow manage to swing and fall on the floor.
"The Golden Age". The final track. All of the elements used by this group are on magnificent and freakish display. It begins with a stately theme presented above a held bass note. My first thought was, hmmm...an outro for a western. Yea, well maybe not. Over the next eleven minutes or so that lone theme is subjected to various methods of aural torture: bent (and nearly broken!) notes, computerized distortions, random beats, little squirty blips, radio signals and industrial noise.
It's disturbing.
It's cool as hell.
(Junk Magic will be release on April 20, 2004. Preorder now to ensure extra tension and texture in your life)
(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)
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