Released
1997
Label
Point Music
Reviewed by
Dr. Donald Netolitzky
Visit
Zoar
Last Edit/Update
11 March, 1999
Zoar
Cassandra
Track Listing
1.
2. Cassandra
3.
4. The Passing of a Plague
5. Death by Denial
6. Nine Days North
7. Ligeira
8. If Only You Knew
9. An Early Disobedience
10. A Handful of Poison
Cassandra,
the premier album by Zoar (New York musicians Michael Montes
and Peter Rundquist) defies simple categorization. Within are elements of
ambient soundscape, classical composition, even an ethnic/tribal nuance.
Largely devoid of words, Zoar conjures emotion and
imagery, and often with a vibrant intensity. Previous compositions have served as the
soundtracks for the experimental films of Bill Morrison, and this characteristic, the
echoes of the classic, purely instrumental soundtrack, is strongly invoked by this album.
The presence of Philip Glass, the noted contemporary classical composer,
amongst the executive producers is intriguing, certain elements of his own work are
echoed, as, like Glass, Zoar in many ways straddles the
territory commonly associated with classical music, ambient, and darkwave.
Musically, compositions utilize instrumental tones, keyboards evoke
classical musical instruments, rather than flat electronic sounds. Both classical 'rock'
and acoustic guitar drive many of the melodies, though other instruments such as cello,
violin, piano, are used. Particularly noteworthy is the elegant use of sampled
environmental and vocal elements within compositions, crackling noise, brief tribal
chants, street traffic, hollow screams, sawing wood, so many more, are woven within the
musical structure with an effortless ease which belies the difficulty in managing such
elements in a non-intrusive manner. In a technical sense, the skill of the artists is
undeniable - indeed, I can think of terribly few instances when such a diversity of audio
samples has been used with such efficacy, truly a tour-de-force demonstration of the
possibilities inherent in the technique.
Melodies are typically non-dissonant, flowing, at times approaching
ethereal. The emotive range invoked by what is, fundamentally, mood music, is impressive,
ranging from forceful, to gentle, thoughtful, even introspective. Pace, too, varies, never
manic while at time energetic, at others slow and with grace, even sensuality. Though
oddly, given the obvious attempts to create a diverse emotional experience for the
listener, somehow the very extremes, those most powerful of moments, are never quite
achieved - though the possibility is so very tempting, almost within grasp.
Another quite delightful feature of this album is the manner in which
the music flows throughout the album, mood and tempo shift elegantly from track to track.
Given the variety of musical motifs and forms, the listener is unlikely to lose interest,
the overall structure of the album creates a very comfortable hour of music, well suited
to moments of quiet contemplation, study, or reading. The chief reservation I might
offer with Cassandra is principally an expression of personal instrumental taste -
the classical rock electric guitar which is used, in some tracks, grates, extremely
intrusive amongst the mix of other instruments. A sound, which to me, is wretchedly dated,
and quite out of place in an otherwise sophisticated combination of composition and
structure. Indeed, the guitar style is reminiscent of groups such as Poison,
Def Lepard and as such, simply has no place within this work, and
created, for myself, an extremely uneven listening experience. Emotions building with a
particular track were neatly gutted by the knife-like guitar-wail intrusions.
Cassandra should appeal to listeners with a range of personal
tastes and biases. Those who enjoy of melodically sophisticated, smooth, emotive works,
should indeed investigate Zoar. Fans of environmental gothic, non-noise
ambient, classical music, groups such as Dead Can Dance, will likely find
a calm appeal within this work. Zoar is apparently also planning to
shortly release an new second album, In The Bloodlit Dark, which may offer an
interesting contrast. Especially, please oh please, if they've lost the guitar.
