Rasputina: On Perilous World
The first time I experienced Rasputina was in college back when they were touring with Marilyn Manson in the late 90's. Back then I would have classified the inscrutable cello playing Victorian garb clad ladies as industrial rock even though that title didn't quite fit. They were definitely dark, mysterious and oh-so-talented. Fast forward to only a few months ago at Austin's Parish night club where I saw them perform live again after several years and I say they were more folk rock, comprised of 2 cello players and a drummer, clad in...Cowboy vs. Indians garb???? But, still just as talented and wildly dynamic.
(As a total side note, a bunch of us could not figure out what the object in Melora's updo was exactly...taper candle, large crochet hook or worn feather? Anyone know?)
Point is, Rasputina is incredibly difficult to classify but always a joy to listen to.
On Perilous World marks the 6th full length album from this group and thematically it loosely follows world events. In the words of Melora Creager, the lead:
"I wrote the songs featured on Oh Perilous World over the last two years when I realized that current world events were more bizarre than anything I could scrounge up from the distant past," she says. "I obsessively read daily news on the Internet and copied words, phrases and whole stories that especially intrigued me and compiled a vast notebook of this material."
Intriguing lyrics aside, you'll find this album full of interesting harmonies, "rant" singing, ample use of recorder, cowbell and other odd instruments along with the expected cello and drums. Over the years Melora's voice has become more solid and sweet sounding and it really contrasts well with some of the not-so-uplifting subjects she sings about.
If you're one of those people out there who dig Apocolytica or sit around worshiping the likes of Nigel Kennedy, Mark Woods or Vanessa Mae...it's time to branch out a bit and experience some Rasputina.
Listen to:
"Cage "In a Cave"
"The Question of Time"
Visit:
Rasputina's Official Website
Rasputina's Myspace
Rasputina's Wiki Entry
Buy Oh Perilous World from Amazon
Labels: alternative rock, chamber rock, experimental, folk, goth rock, Jonathon TeBeest, Melora Creager, Oh Perilous World, Rasputina
posted by cchang at 6:44 PM
5 Comments:
Hey that looks like Jay in the picture!
Rasputina rocks! I still have that CD you gave me. Awesome band.
That's funny...it also looks like T's brother Lane especially in person. It's the mysterious shape shifting drummer!
Hey, I like "The Question of TIme." It talks about stuff I'm studying. Haha.
I've heard those statements where she's quoting the arrogant official who says that "we create our own reality" before. I think she's quoting someone...
The quote is what a senior advisor to Bush allegedly said to reporter Ron Suskind
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/101704A.shtml
That's really cool. I know that she said she got a lot of the lyrical inspiration from stuff she read online. I need to listen to Question of Time in more detail ... I'm notoriously bad at interpreting lyrics.
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