Release Date: January
13, 2015
Label: Ravello
Records
The
McCormick Percussion Group is headed up by Robert McCormick, who is the Director of the group and Corey
Harvin plays guitar while Ciro Scotto, John Cage and Dan Senn are the composers.
It is an interesting collaboration and the music they create on Between Rock and A Hard Place (Plugged
& Unplugged) is fascinating.
The idea of classical music meeting heavy metal is
nothing new however I felt listening to this purely instrumental take on that expression
to be quite attention getting. The focus is more on the percussive side of the
equation however, the use of the guitar and other instruments make for some
thought provoking soundscapes, it’s like listening to a movie rather than
watching it yet different things jump in and out of your mind while it’s
playing.
The only track under 5 minutes is “Composition for Three
Voices” then at the opposite end of the spectrum is “Unplugged” clocking in at
a beefy 16:24. They never bite off more they can chew regardless of the time
invested into any one track.
This is very progressive music, not progressive like legendary
groundbreaking bands like Yes or ELP but with the same idea and goals of
intermingling two genres to come out the other side with a digestible end
product for the ears. The lead off track is titled “ I. Hard Light-Hybrid Night” It is a good
warm up for what is to come. It serves as a strong introduction for a suite of compositions
that have you listening over and over at first out of curiosity then that turns
into awe and pure enjoyment. This will not be for everyone but what progressive
music is? It depends on your taste, mood and personal preferences, just like
purchasing any other product, the choice is yours. I choose to explore and
expand my listening experiences and this was the perfect album to engage my
senses and push me forward, to be more progressive with my ears.
“II. On Death Ground” is a bit more moody and intense,
kind of like the soundtrack you would hear during a suspenseful segment of a
movie. It jumps back and forth and flows like an effortless stream down a
mountain. Nothing sounds forced or difficult although it may sound like
cacophony at times it does all come together and make sense but it may take a
few listens to get to that point of understanding. This is why I feel the first
three tracks are the most important. This is the foundation to the fortress of
sound being built before the story coalesces then comes to an end.
“III. Onryõ” takes you down a different road and combines
some lighter parts with the hard edged guitar sounds in a much different way in
that the pace is like a musical stutter step. The percussive back end holds it
all together and keeps a steady rhythm so everything else seems to fall into
place somehow. Trying to explain what you hear is not always the easiest thing
to do but in the end it’s all dependent on the listeners view and personal aural
filter if you will.
If you like progressive, fusion, experimental and or
metal this is something you need to hear then decide for yourself if it is
something you want more of or if the journey should be over after one trip. I
took more than one trip and expect to take some more. There is a lot to process
here and that is the beauty of it.
4/5
Stars
Key Tracks: I. Hard Light-Hybrid Night, II. On Death Ground, III. Onryõ
Tracks:
1. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “I. Hard Light-Hybrid Night” (Ciro Scotto)
2. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “II. On Death Ground” (Scotto)
3. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “III. Onryõ (Scotto)
4. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “IV: Mjölnir (Crusher)” (Scotto)
5. Five (John Cage)
6. Rivus (Dan Senn)
7. Between Rock and a Hard Place-Unplugged (Ciro Scotto)
8.Compositions for 3 Voices (John Cage)
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Write A Music Review FounderTracks:
1. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “I. Hard Light-Hybrid Night” (Ciro Scotto)
2. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “II. On Death Ground” (Scotto)
3. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “III. Onryõ (Scotto)
4. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “IV: Mjölnir (Crusher)” (Scotto)
5. Five (John Cage)
6. Rivus (Dan Senn)
7. Between Rock and a Hard Place-Unplugged (Ciro Scotto)
8.Compositions for 3 Voices (John Cage)
January 15, 2015
Review Provided By Write A Music
No comments:
Post a Comment