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Mahogany Frog — Faust
(Moonjune MJR122, 2022, CD / DL)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2022-07-09

Faust Cover art

The 1920s German silent film Faust, Directed by F. W. Murnau, is considered by many to be one of the greatest silent films of that era, and also one that numerous artists in the experimental / progressive / electronic music realm have taken a stab at creating an original music score for. The Winnipeg based quartet Mahogany Frog are only the latest to deliver a proposed soundtrack for this silent classic. Their score was premiered in Saskatoon, and then three more performances were given in Calgary, Edmonton, and their home base of Winnipeg in late 2017, more or less concurrent with the much of the work they did in creating and recording their previous album, In the Electric Universe, released last year. The music herein is dark and moody, and perhaps a bit horrific at times, organized into four long acts and subdivided into eighteen individual cuts across a double-vinyl album, most of the cuts segueing into one another seamlessly. At times the sounds are edgy and experimental, with a very chaotic sensibility, at other times seeming to be more electronic in nature. While it’s probably best to not let ones expectations be set by other artists who have attempted to create a Faust soundtrack before, and just allow the music here to speak for itself; whether one has seen the film or not doesn’t really matter, Mahogany Frog’s vision comes through clearly as the soundtrack develops, speaking for itself with or without film. Very little here could be considered conventional rock, even though the instruments used (drums, bass, guitars, keyboards, and electronics) would lend themselves well to such an endeavor, the result is more of an emotional experience draped in dark colors, interesting textures and mysterious mayhem. Parts might remind a listener of Pink Floyd in their ‘soundtrack’ period, VidnaObmana at it’s darkest and most sinister, or perhaps Djam Karet’s Suspension and Displacement, but considering the scope and breadth of this, the band has done a convincing job creating a new sonic world apart from all others. I have to say I would have loved to have seen this pertformed live, but listening to the recording is certainly the next best thing. Highly recommended for fans of pure sonic exploration.

Filed under: New releases, 2022 releases

Related artist(s): Mahogany Frog

More info
http://mahoganyfrog.bandcamp.com/album/faust-by-mahogany-frog

 

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