Band: Far Corner
CD Title: “Endangered”
Label: Cuneiform Records
Label Website: www.cuneiformrecords.com
Release Date: 2007
Band Website:www.far-corner.com
We talk a lot about that sophomore effort and the traditional challenges created by that second CD release.
Given the changing nature of the music business, specifically the lack of contracts requiring a quick follow-up it’s become somewhat
less stressful for artists allowing them to spend more time honing their sound and style to ensure their second CD is actually an
improvement on the first, rather than simply releasing what was left-over from the first go-around. That certainly seems to be the
case with the new release entitled Endangered from
Far Corner consists of William Kopecky (bass, string drum), Dan Maske (keyboards, trumpet, melodica, percussion), Angela Schmidt (acoustic/electric cello, violin, bamboo flute), and Craig Walkner (drums). These are highly skilled musicians with their instrument of choice and each demonstrates great command. This is music that demands your attention. No putting this on as background music. The six tracks display an intense musicianship incorporating classical structures and jazz styles all built on a solid rock foundation. At first listen the music on Endangered sounds very dark and moody and at times almost oppressive, but with each listen the music opens up to display a certain depth and coloration not heard the first few times.
The six instrumental compositions on Endangered are mostly on the long side, with the longest being about twenty-minutes. Stylistically there are many moments of studio improvisation lending the music an almost free-jazz influence. Compositions will go from a busy rock feel to simple solo piano or flute in a heartbeat. Each musician works to build a pallet of sounds which are then incorporated into more composed sections that at times are built on strict modern classical structures. This is the classical chamber rock side of the band. There are other times where the drums, bass and organ provide more of a progressive rock foundation over which the more experimental soloing takes place. What this means is that some of these pieces have a real groove, sometimes jazz-like, sometimes rock-like; and other times the music is more classically inspired full of dissonance and minor-chord frenzy.
I dare say Far Corner’s music is not for the faint-of-heart. It can be startling at times and jarring at others. Still, with each listen the ear is able to discern the music’s connected-ness. So needless to say this is one of those discs you’ll want to play over and over again before passing any judgment. It will take a while to grow on you, but grow on you it does. The music onEndangered will definitely appeal to those who want their music to push the envelope.