Exposé Online banner

Exposé Online

Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.
Covering music from the fringes since 1993.

Reviews

Skullcap — Snakes of Albuquerque
(Cuneiform Rune 539, 2025, CD / LP / DL)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2025-08-16

Snakes of Albuquerque Cover art

It might be easy to think of Skullcap as Janel & Anthony plus one — that one being drummer / percussionist Mike Kuhl — but the personnel is where the similarities end, as this trio forms a complete group effort, from the bold compositions to the arrangements and execution. This is a trio that hasn’t been heard before, bringing in all kinds of disparate elements, some jazz, some rock, and a lot of intense energy, informed by classical and Americana and avant-idealism. The three members put everything they have together to create something absolutely new. From the title, Snakes of Albuquerque, to the titles of the various tracks, one might be inclined to believe this is some kind of concept album about a road trip across the United States, but beyond those subtle hints, while there may have been compositional intent, there are no lyrics or vocals to guide the listener beyond that, and that’s just fine with me; a listener can simply immerse themselves in the music and the journey that goes from somewhere to somewhere else and enjoy the musical interpretation. Of course, this is kind of a nonstandard trio: Anthony Pirog on all manner of guitar; Janel Leppin playing cello, both bowed and like a bass; and Kuhl on a seeming endless array of percussives that go  well beyond the standard drum kit. But it’s not so much what they play as how they create, the power, the energy, and the subtlety that all work together within every measure. Beginning as it does with “Pine Trees of Tennessee,” the first feeling is that of a powerful jazz wind-up, dark and overtly mysterious, eventually coalescing into a energized rhythmic piece with Leppin’s cello soaring above it all. “Rt. 40” carries a powerful but unique cadence, with effected guitar leads weaving in and out of the fabric of the piece. “Journey to the Sunset” has a funky, almost tribal feel with everyone adding something to the stew, including some raw electronic sounds. “700 Miles” is the shortest piece on the album, but offers Kuhl a chance to work some unusual bells and percussives. The title track is a loud and aggressive piece, again bordering on the tribal spirit of the desert Southwest, with some over the top high-register cello offering the effigy of a rattlesnake in the final minutes of the song. No matter where one drops the needle on this album, one can be sure to find an unexpected treat; my only hope is that Skullcap continues with the spirit and energy of this debut.

Filed under: New releases, 2025 releases

Related artist(s): Janel and Anthony, Janel Leppin, Anthony Pirog, Skullcap

More info
http://cuneiformrecords.bandcamp.com/album/snakes-of-albuquerque-2

 

What's new

These are the most recent changes made to artists, releases, and articles.