Light Is Calling [Enhanced, Import]

I've never been a big fan of minimalist expressions in classical music. Composers like LaMonte Young and Terry Riley seem completely preoccupied with their "theory" rather than the music itself. As if the obesity of the concept nudges aesthetics out of the score. Surprisingly, a whole generation of talented young composers inspired by the minimalists have been making really beautiful, economical music. Michael Gordon and others seem determined not to make the same boring mistakes. And what's really great about Michael Gordon's Light Is Calling is that he doesn't seem to be trying to subvert any antiquated ideas about music, he's just trying to affect you.

The album begins with a rhythm and strings piece, "Tinge." Some computer arranged industrial rhythms are quickly followed by a panicky melody, punctuated by nod-your-head-here staccato bursts. "My Frig" is a relatively cheery song. Gordon uses a descending violin slide for texture, very different from his Decasia symphony. "Receiver" sounds at times like an homage to Tubeway Army, followed by "Idle" which sounds something like Henry Flynt's avant-fiddle sampled into a Coil beat. The title track is beautiful, with some quiet bubbling samples giving way to a simple, somber violin solo. The song builds a bit but maintains it's simplicity, finally careening into itself and sliding apart. The CD also features a short movie set to this song. I'm assuming it's made by Bill Morrison, it features decaying footage of a couple dancing, much like Decasia.

My only complaint is the electronic/computer aspect. It's mostly pretty boring stuff, and it doesn't mesh well with the rest of the arrangements. Most of, but not all the beats sound like stock sounds on an outdated program. I should say it's not all bad, I like the result on "Instrumental" for instance. But electronica was invented by composers, you'd think they'd be making more interesting stuff by now. It's symptomatic of most of the contemporary composers mixing electronic and classical. The weird thing is, they all seem to think they're doing really great new stuff with rhythm. I picture these guys sitting around listening to UFOrb all day and talking about how to "deconstruct the electro-classical dichotomy."

Ostensibly, Gordon is one of these academics who feels just as at home in the underground scene as he does in the academy. With the exception of the intimacy of this record, that duality is unfortunately not well represented here. Actually, Decasia is a much better execution of this. Still, along with Max Richter's Blue Notebooks, Light Is Calling is one of the best collections of engaging, minimalist, contemporary classical music that I know of.

I recently witnessed Todd Reynolds perform at my school. It was amazing. While this type of music may not be for everyone, Todd Reynolds, Luke DuBois, and many others have continued to push ahead experimenting and creating new pieces. It might be a little easier to understand and appreciated the music on this cd if these men are studied a little. For instance, Todd Reynolds is an incredibly talented violinist who could play all the greatest concertos, but he wanted to find his own niche in the music world, quoting his exact words, "Bach and Mozart will be fine without me."

Out of all the pieces on this Cd, "Light is Calling" is the one I enjoy the most. You can put this cd in your computer and it will play a video that this piece accompianies. I feel that it is important to know a little history about this film. Luke Bill Morrison took a black and white film on decaying acetate and, knowing that it would burn up from the heat of the projector, decided to record while it played (and burned). Todd Reynolds composed a piece that is beautiful and fits the film well. Together these men have made new art out of an old piece of art. To me, this film seems like a memory. I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest.

I checked this out from my local library. Needless to say, I am elated I did not buy it. How is that people actually receive record deals to record this kind of, uh, noise???

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