|
ARTSRUNI - The Live Cuts 2000/2001
Comments:
For a quick history on ARTSRUNI, please check below. The Live Cuts 2000/2001 features live performances by ARTSRUNI. While I'm not usually impressed by live albums from prog bands, once in a while a prog band comes along that sounds stronger on stage. Those of you who are familiar with the band's newest CD, Cruzaid, will recognize most of the tracks here. The band extends most of the compositions with some great solo work from their guitarist and bassist. The gem, for me, has to be "Ethnophonica (Suite, Part III)". This composition features the band playing with an Orchestra. But the music mixes modern classical with traditional Armenian melodies. The outcome is stunning, especially for fans of 20th Century Classical. Musea should seriously consider releasing the entire suite. While the sound-quality of sounds rather weak, I'm sure this concert was properly recorded or can be fixed up in the mastering studio. Overall, The Live Cuts 2000/2001 is a treat. With superb playing from every band member, and great sound-quality(aside from "Ethnophonica"), this CD is worth-while.
Webpage:
Musea
Info:
Arman Padaryan, General Manager
Cadence Music Centre
Yerevan Komitas Music Hall
1 Isahakyan Street, Suite 6
375025 Yerevan
Armenia
Email:
cadence@arminco.com
artapad@hotmail.com
ARTSRUNI - Cruzaid
Comments:
Cruzaid is the latest release from ARTSRUNI. For those you unaware with this band, they began their career in 2000 and quickly gained a following both inside and outside of Armenia. After releasing a couple of demo CDs and playing many regional gigs, the band landed a contract with the French prog rock label Musea. Cruzaid features 8 tracks total. The term "Cruzaid", by the way, is a deliberate misspelling of the word "Crusade". To celebrate 1700 years of Christianity in Armenia, the band members decided on the positive-looking word as something that describes their history and heritage. But, for those of you who are not into religious-sounding CDs, there is nothing overtly religious in ARTRUNI's music. Instead, listeners will get treated to mostly instrumental music that combines the modern Italian-prog stylings of groups like Finisterre and Stereo Kimono with influences from Jethro Tull, modern jazz, and even Vic Wooten of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. ARTSRUNI features a flutist, acoustic and electric guitar, bass, and drums. The flutist is the most noticeable member in the band, followed by the electric guitarist and bassist. The first track of the CD might sound deceiving to most listeners. What starts off sounding like soothing prog with touches of modern-jazz influences gradually picks up steam. And by the intro of the second track the compositions simply get better as the album unfolds. The Gunesh-sounding track "Cruzaid (Part 2)" is the strongest composition on the album and shows what this bands is capable of in terms of complexity. Overall, Cruzaid will definitely go on many Top 10 lists this year.
Webpage:
Musea
Info:
Arman Padaryan, General Manager
Cadence Music Centre
Yerevan Komitas Music Hall
1 Isahakyan Street, Suite 6
375025 Yerevan
Armenia
Email:
cadence@arminco.com
artapad@hotmail.com
ARTSRUNI - Lost and Found, Live Album
Comments:
The thing that I love most about underground prog rock is how fans encourage bands to mix in their own unique culture into the music. So, instead of having thousands of groups that ape popular English and American styles(usually sounding weak compared to the great English and American bands, thus continuing the myth that non-English speaking rock bands suck), you get bands that take English and American musical influences, and mix it with a nice dose of their local culture. The music created by these bands usually bursts with integrity, warmth, and charisma. I think these days, thanks to the internet really, it shouldn't be surprising that progressive rock is played almost everywhere in the world. ARTSRUNI is a 6-piece band consisting of flute, guitar(both electric and acoustic), bass, drums, and percussion. Lost and Found, Live Album is a 7-track demo CD to help promote the group and an upcoming studio album. Their sound is a bit hard to describe, but I'm mostly reminded of a few of the modern Italian prog bands(Finisterre especially). Most of the tracks emphasize energetic melodic interaction between flutist and guitarist. Some of those melodies are played in unison, while others feature both musicians playing off of each other. The flutist's style reminds me a bit of the Brazilian group Bacamarte(or if you will a more exotic Ian Anderson). The guitarist has a metal-ish influence to his sound, and likes to weave in jazz-fusion and Armenian scales into his solos. The band, overall, enjoys playing some rather busy grooves that feature quick twists and turns. Many compositions also left me wondering if these guys were into Bela Fleck and the Flecktones? There is, of course, a noticeable Armenian influence in the music that spices things up. According to the bio that I received with the CD, many of the themes are based on traditional Armenian songs(some over 200 years old). The Armenian influence is especially noticeable during the vocal passages. I must say, I love the vocal sections. Since this is a live album, they come off slightly unpolished(lack of strong reverb), but I can just imagine what they will sound like in the studio. The vocals are warm, with a sound unique to the region. In all, I'm really looking forward to a studio CD from this group. Hopefully, they will push their prog influences further and stay away from commercial pressures.
Info:
Arman Padaryan, General Manager
Cadence Music Centre
Yerevan Komitas Music Hall
1 Isahakyan Street, Suite 6
375025 Yerevan
Armenia
Email:
cadence@arminco.com
artapad@hotmail.com
|
