By mrobbrown4502
26-Jun-2010

Fascinating trip into the unknown  

I confess that I did not know anything about the ensemble or the composers--the samples sounded fascinating so I downloaded it. It is also interesting to dip into the cutting edge of the Chicago music scene. This music is not for everyone nor for all times--it gets edgy, and can remind one of the soundtrack to a thriller. My favorite thing about it is the variety of timbres and textures these top-notch instrumentalists achieve. The selection I am most attracted to after two or three hearings is the third movement of the Mackey, and I think this has to do with the repeated piano figure upon which it all hangs. I tend to like music that utilizes variety interwoven into repetition. Interestingly, the track "Violence" is one of the most meditative on the album, and another favorite. I come away with the desire to explore more of Eighth Blackbird's repertoire. As I listen while writing this, I think this music definitely has room to grow on me.

--Matthew R. Brown
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By Robert Schulslaper
Fanfare
01-Nov-2007