As an ensemble Build resembles a mixture of a jazz combo and a classical quintete. While the cello, bass, and violin are what you'd expect to find in a classical ensemble, the Fender Rhodes and the full drum kit are more often associated with blues and jazz than anything else. Of course, in recent years we have seen many instruments playing outside of the fields they were traditionally associated with, so you really can't draw conclusions as to what anybody would play based on what they are playing. In fact Build's configuration is such that it could just as easily be a jazz combo as anything else.
What they do play is an interesting mix of melody and rhythm that depending on the composition range from approximations of atonal minimalism to variations on rhythmic patterns. Unlike some other contemporary compositions that seem intent on sounding as unmusical as possible, Build appears to apply the premise that people might want to enjoy listening to music, rather than have their ears assaulted by discordance. While that might reduce their credibility among certain circles (pretentious snobs), I personally find it a relief that there are still composers who remember that music can still be a pleasurable experience, and interesting, at the same time.
Two pieces that stood out for me on this album were "Magnet" the second track on the disc and "Driven," the last and longest piece on the recording. The former is an example of their experimenting with rhythmic patterns. According to composer and violinist Mat McBane it is based on a bluegrass tune that he only partially remembered. They're two things of interest about this composition, the first being what inspired the composition. Instead of basing it on the fragments of tune he could remember, he used the rhythm of the bowing pattern from the original song as the basis for the new pieces rhythmic patterns.
Article comments
1 - Chris
Nice find! Having recently gotten into Penguin Cafe Orchestra, this album is right up my alley.