i just saw this review on an e-zine called Star Vein
(
http://www.science.wayne.edu/~jrenaud/mr3.html). anyone know anything
about it?
Possessed
The Balanescu Quartet
Mute / Elektra
Kraftwerk are one of those bands that influenced certain bands in a round
about way. Its not like, "without
Kraftwerk there wouldn't be any [whoever]." The quote is more like, "you
know Kraftwerk gave some bands
some pretty interesting things to think about." Bands like Devo would have
existed without Kraftwerk, but who
knows what they might have sounded like?
David Byrne, I guess the Talking part of the Heads (don't get me started on
that buisness venture), is also an
artistic influence like Kraftwerk. More bands look at what David Byrne has
done with pop structure and what he is
doing now with Brazilian and other world music and say to themselves, "you
know I never thought of it like that, I
think I should try this."
What Alexander Balenescu does in this compact disc is to re-create that
genius with a classical string quartet. This
compact disc is so awesome. I don't mean that silly eighties word, but in
that this cd "creates awe." In those silly
London Symphony renditions of artists like Pink Floyd, Elvis Presley, Frank
Zappa, the Beatles, the Stones, and
way to many more, the conductor and symphony lose the essence and drive of
the original. They strip down songs
so that they can be played in J.C. Penneys and in Sears (interestingly
"Where America Shops"...). Alexander
builds these songs up and puts life into them. The quartet sounds so exact
and precise. The Alternative Press
(March 1993, p.40) said, "...This London-based quartet melds classicism and
modernity with complete clarity and
control of their craft...not only highlights the brilliance of Kraftwerk,
but also the acute ability of this four-piece..."
There are three tracks written by Alexander Balanescu that have interesting
repetition patterns, but not stuck like
some Phillip Glass pieces. The string quartet gives these pieces a Schubert
or Copeland-like feel, but through a
minimalist eye. If you remember the extraordinary muzik in the film Angels
& Insects than you are remembering
the superb job Alexander Balanescu had done composing and playing. If you
are a Kraftwerk fan, this disc is a
must have.
"...[Krafwerk's] mechanized dance songs receive unironic treatment. Oddly
enough, the combination of Balanescu
warmth and Kraftwerk iciness works..." Entertainment Weekly (13 November
1992, p.80)
******* (seven and one-half stars)
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