Mercury Falls: Quadrangle

Quadrangle, the debut album from San Francisco based Mercury Falls, is a moody atmospheric piece of minimalism that actually works quite well. The dream state of your subconscious is what this music invokes – quiet soundscapes of West Coast cool jazz with subtle electronic elements rising to the surface amidst a sweeping aura of ambience. The album's cover fits the music rather nicely. Bone jarring music this is not but that doesn't make it any less interesting.

The beginnings of Mercury Falls can be traced back to a project a called Octagon – a partnership between Patrick Cress (alto and baritone saxophones, bass clarinet, flute) and Eric Kupers, a multi-media artist. From this collaboration Mercury Falls was formed and Quadrangle came to fruition.

Joining Cress are Ryan Francesconi (guitar, electronics), Tim Bulkley (drums), Eric Perney (upright bass), Michelle Amador (voice on "Spring Pools") and Barry Syska (voice on "Quad Idea").

The band's sound is an interesting mix of organic and electronic elements fusing saxophone with Francesconi's spacious guitar and electronic textures. While this is serene music don't let the ambient tag scare you off as this album may be of interest to open-minded rock listeners.

Cress makes good use of baritone and alto saxes in "Spring Pools", the album's first track. Delicate piano gives off a minimalistic vibe while complex drum patterns slowly build the song's intensity. The airy "Speak Without Ears" features acoustic guitar where the notes are allowed to linger and is best described as a fusion of ambient and jazz.

It is not all placid – just listen to the intriguing "Solar Plexus" where stellar drum work and experimental guitar/electronics makes for a trippy avant-garde journey that should satisfy all you prog heads out there.

Listening to Quadrangle is one smooth ride where subtlety and intensity coexist, attracting listeners of jazz, ambient and progressive music.

Track Listing:
1. Spring Pools (6:35)
2. Speak Without Ears (5:06)
3. Quad Idea (4:59)
4. Years Without Speech (4:20)
5. Insurance Rep (6:27)
6. Solar Plexus (6:10)
7. Lullaby For Beane (5:12)

Added: September 27th 2010
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 1955
Language: english

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