Cheer-Accident Putting off Death Review by Gary Hill
This new album from Cheer-Accident is hard to pin down in terms of style. I guess "experimental music" works well. There are moments when this calls to mind other acts (Todd Rundgren, King Crimson and The Residents come to mind), but the general mix of sounds and sheer scope make this decidedly unique. It's not the kind of thing that will appeal to a really wide range of listeners, but for those who like their music adventurous, it's well worth the experience.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2017 Volume 4 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Language Is
At almost eleven a half minutes, the opener is the longest piece here by quite a bit. Piano opens this with some vocals. That arrangement holds it for a bit. As more energy comes into the piece it makes me think of Todd Rundgren. Alternating between those two sections, this concept holds the piece for almost three and a half minutes. Then it abruptly shifts to a fast paced off-kilter prog jam that's not far removed from fusion. There are definitely elements of King Crimson built into this part of the piece. Around the five minute mark it changes again, moving into a rather classically based keyboard controlled section. It's dramatic and powerful and builds gradually. When other instruments are first added to the mix it feels a bit like Pink Floyd to me. Then it makes a change toward fusion from there. Around the eight and a half minute mark the piano takes over. From there they work into a killer fusion jam with lots of horns. It moves into some really strange territory from that point as noise and studio effects start to dominate, working into distorted white noise at the end.
Immanence
I love the energetic piano melody that's at the start of this piece. As the vocals join I'm reminded of a lot of modern prog rock. In some ways this song makes me think of a jazzy version of the Buggles. I dig the female vocals on this cut. The multiple layers of vocals add a lot to it. This is a much shorter song than the opener and more constant.
Wishful Breathing
The drumming on this is busy and a bit odd, but still cool. Over the top of that layers of sound that seem to be world music tied are placed. There are some psychedelic elements in the mix during the first vocals section. Then the piece turns toward weird dissonance. This is a strange but compelling piece that gets into jazz-like territory at times. Around the two and a half minute mark it drops to a definite world music like treatment to take it to the end.
Falling World
Sharp, jagged bits of keyboards lead things out here. As other layers are added to the mix it creates a strange sort of mix of sounds. It has a lot of clashing elements, but also manages to feel weirdly cohesive. This turns darker and heavy as it moves onward.
More And Less
A bouncy kind of jazz meets world music concept drives this as it starts. The sound driving the early melody seems like vibes, but it could be a synth or other tuned percussion. Horns are added to the mix, bringing more jazz to it. As the vocals join this shifts towards psychedelia. It drops to a percussion solo after the vocal movement. That takes the piece to its end.
Lifetime Guarantee The opening section of this is among the most mainstream music here. This has a cool melodic prog rock vibe as it grows. I like the multiple layers of vocals a lot. It works in a fairly straight line until around the four minute mark. Then it turns to some weirdness that's rather like something The Residents might do. It works back out toward more rocking and rather mainstream stuff from there. Horns bring a bit of a jazz element over the top of that arrangement. A weird droning section with layers of vocals ends it.
Hymn
This comes in with more of a melodic musical element. As it grows I'm again reminded of Rundgren a bit. It works forward in a fairly straight line until around the three-minute mark. Then it shifts to strange trippy psychedelia for a time. It works back to the song proper after that. That sound takes it the rest of the way through.
