Steve Reich
WTC 9/11
Nonesuch (2011)
Steve Reich occupies a weird place in modern music. He's one of the most-respected modern classical composers and right on the cusp of the avant-garde, winning prestigious accolades like a Pulitzer and a Grammy. Yet at the same time, he's something of a rock star in the classical world. He writes pieces that successfully connect with a younger generation of musicians, influencing artists, composers and ensembles as diverse as Sufjan Stevens, King Crimson, Brian Eno and A Silver Mt. Zion. When Reich composes, people tend to pay attention. His newest album, WTC 9/11, compiles three of his latest compositions.The title piece, WTC 9/11, was originally written for the Kronos Quartet in 2010. It utilizes a technique Reich used on his earlier piece Different Trains, which was also originally performed by Kronos. He utilizes the notes in spoken word recordings taken from NORAD and FDNY to craft the melodies, which are played over a repetitive backing. The first movement of the piece is by far the strongest; the intense voice clips and blaring dial tone create the perfect, terse atmosphere of confusion and desolation that this piece so desperately tries to convey. It strongly recalls the uncomfortable strength of the wailing … Read more
Larry And His Flask
All That We Know
Silver Sprocket (2011)
Larry and His Flask have been getting more and more attention over the past year and a half. They reached … Read more
Planning For Burial
Late Twenties Blues
Self Released (2011)
Alright laugh all you want at my horrid addictions, but until you plunge into Late Twenties Blues yourself, you will … Read more
Wreck and Reference
Black Cassette
Music Ruins Lives (2011)
I’ll say this, Black Cassette from Wreck And Reference is good, real good; in fact, this debut has a bunch … Read more
Long Distance Calling
Self Titled
Century Media (2011)
Long Distance Calling are everything that Mogwai wants to be and can't exactly accomplish. They artfully blend elements of progressive … Read more
