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Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.
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Make a Rising — Infinite Ellipse and Head with Open Fontanel
((Not on label) no#, 2008, CD)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2008-10-01

Infinite Ellipse and Head with Open Fontanel Cover art

This is one very strange band. And that’s strange in a good way – interesting, unusual, even unique in some respects – something completely new, not more of the same; and after all, isn’t that what we’re all looking for here? For starters, the title of the disc isn’t mentioned anywhere in the six-panel fold-open booklet / poster or the CD tray insert – however this is how it’s referred to on the website, so I’ll go with that here. This Philadelphia based six-piece with numerous guests is literally all over the map musically. Between them, they play violin, guitar, sax, flute, piano, bass, accordion, trumpet, keyboards, clarinet, bass clarinet, and drums, with at least three members providing the vocals and harmonies, plus guests on additional percussion, trombone, saxes, cello, and backing vocals. Elements of quirky avant-garde rock, folk, ethnic music, minimalist, chamber, and Beach Boys / 10cc style harmonies go into their blender and this is what comes out – ten cuts of positively unusual music of some seemingly indeterminate stylistic origin, comparable to little else that’s out there. Perhaps in the spirit of early Mike Keneally, The Residents, Estradasphere, Cheer Accident, Sleepytime, or other bands operating at the fringes, but make no mistake – Make a Rising really sounds like none of the aforementioned artists. Their sound is their own, one that goes beyond any convenient descriptions, but is excellent nonetheless. I guess the best thing to do is go and take a listen for yourself.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 36, 2008 releases

Related artist(s): Make a Rising

 

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