Exposé Online banner

Bone Cave Ballet — Will of the Waves
((Not on label) no#, 2013, CD)

by Jon Davis, 2013-11-12:

Will of the Waves Cover art Bone Cave Ballet's second release is a five-song EP containing a bit more than 25 minutes of music. Normally I don't like to lead off a review with a negative, but there's so much to like about Will of the Waves that its short length is really the only flaw. The engaging style of their debut comes more into its own with these tunes, presenting a self-assured sound that perfectly balances proggy complexity and sheer melodic appeal. The set sneaks up on the listener deceptively, with "Breakup Yoga" and two interlocking guitar parts backed by drum rims for rhythm. But the arrangement builds up to a great riff punctuated by unison fills. Jacqui Gilroy's voice floats above it all, somehow apart from the fury yet locked in with it. "Great Cycle" also starts out quietly and builds in intensity, but then it works through sections of varying levels, showing the band's command of dynamics. The tempo kicks up with "Newton's 3rd," and Gilroy's flute is added to the mix for "Shape to Stay." There's not a weak track in the set, and frustration leads me to just hit Repeat when it ends. Please, everyone, leave them alone long enough to get some more material recorded!

by Henry Schneider, 2014-02-14:

What a unique name! I’m not at all sure what it means, but it does sound cool. Bone Cave Ballet is a Seattle-based band that is entering their sixth year as a band and Will of the Waves, a five track CD EP, is their latest release. They perform energetic, stripped down progressive rock with dissonant hints of Robert Fripp. The band is Jacqui Gilroy (vocals and guitar), Kelly Mynes (drums), Ezekiel Lords (bass), and Jeff Blancato (guitar and backing vocals). Jacqui’s vocals remind me of fellow Seattle musician Anisa Romero (Sky Cries Mary). Four of the five songs feature her harmonized vocals that can be very beautiful. Unfortunately on “Great Cycle” Jacqui’s nasal voice does not resonate with me. All four musicians play off one another, including doubling of Jacqui’s voice. Many of the songs go through multiple tempo and mood changes from spirited guitar riffing to trippy voices to acoustic guitar passages that serve to hold your interest. The best songs for me are “Shape to Stay” and “Newton’s 3rd.” It is a shame that Bone Cave Ballet did not have more material to include on the disc. It is a bit short at 25 minutes.

Filed under: New releases , 2013 releases

Related artist(s): Bone Cave Ballet

More info

Latest news

2020-05-15
Phil May of The Pretty Things RIP – We were saddened to learn that Phil May, lead singer and founding member of The Pretty Things, has died at the age of 75. The band's 1968 album S.F. Sorrow is one of the enduring classics of the psychedelic era, and the group existed in various forms until finally retiring in 2018. » Read more

2020-05-14
Jorge Santana RIP – Jorge Santana, noted guitarist, leader of the band Malo and brother to Carlos Santan, died on May 14 at the age of 68. Jorge and Carlos worked together on a number of occasions, though Jorge's career was centered around Malo, solo work, and with Fania All-Stars. » Read more

2020-05-06
Florian Schneider RIP – Florian Schneider, one of the founders of the pioneering electronic group Kraftwerk, has died at the age of 73. Co-founder Ralf Hütter announced that his bandmate had passed away from cancer after a brief illness. » Read more

2020-04-23
Shindig Festival Goes Lock-Down – Here's what they're saying: It's A Happening Thing! The Shindig! Magazine Lockdown Festival. In our days of no large gatherings of people, maybe it's still possible to have a music festival. Shindig! Magazine is giving it a go with a multi-artist streaming extravaganza on Saturday April 25. » Read more

2020-03-24
Bill Rieflin RIP – The sad news reaches us today of Bill Rieflin's death. Rieflin was best known as a drummer in bands ranging from post-punk to industrial to indie-rock to progressive rock, including work with The Blackouts, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Swans, Land, and King Crimson. Rieflin had been battling cancer for several years, and succumbed to it on March 24. He was 59. » Read more

More news

Previously in Exposé...

Radiohead - Kid A – OK Computer showed a rock band reaching beyond the conventions of commercial music, yet somehow managing to remain commercial, selling millions of albums and impressing a lot of non-mainstream...  (2001) » Read more

Afterglow - Yggdrasil – I know what you're thinking! Stop thinking that! This young band from Marseille — despite their name, a thirteen minute track titled "Unquiet," and a style that is squarely in the neo-progressive...  (1995) » Read more

Simon Steensland - The Zombie Hunter – For those who know Steensland from his earlier release Lonesome Combat Ensemble on Musea, it will only take a couple minutes of this latest release to figure out that he's turned the energy level up...  (1996) » Read more

Tim Morse - Transformation – Tim Morse is the author of Yesstories, a compilation of interviews from Yes band members past and present. One might therefore expect his debut CD to have Yes’s stamp on it, though this is...  (2007) » Read more

Yes - Keys to Ascension – Yes fans arrived from the furthest corners of the U.S. and on the night of March 5 this formation of Yes hit the stage for the first time in 17 years. Over three nights the band performed a set of...  (1997) » Read more

Random review

Listen & discover

Wei Zhongle Bright Stream video

More recommendations
The Seventeenth Dream of Dr. Sardonicus Festival 2019

Print issues