Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Air & Rain - when faraway is here

9/28/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
Air & Rain

when faraway is here
self-released; 2015

3.8 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

With no pun intended I have to say Air & Rain is a breath of fresh air. The trio consisting of Meg Cassell (oboe/English horn), Stan Cassell (piano) and Max Benoit (percussion) make instrumental music on their recent release when faraway is here which is worlds away from the ubiquitous standard of guitar, bass and drums combo. One thing that makes this music so enjoyable is the technical mastery of the musicians.

Meg Cassell is a professional classical oboist who is a Professor of Oboe while Stan Cassel is an accomplished pianist that is self-evident when you hear him play. Most of the songs revolve around the oboe and piano. The music on when faraway is here is crisp, serene, tranquil and I feel like throwing refined in there as well. It feels incredibly open as if silence is the third element that was taken into account when making the songs. There were times I thought it would make for great music to play during an acupuncture session or something to put on while gazing at the sunset.

The album starts with “Bird Story” and the first thing you hear is a lone oboe. It whisks around like a whimsical fairy that is gently gliding through the air. At about the one-minute mark a piano enters into the mix which creates a coat of melancholy across the song. It’s an engaging striking dichotomy. You immediately get the sense that they can go anywhere they want to in the song almost as if it was improvised.

The title track “When Faraway Is Here” is one of the tracks that contain percussion. There is a bit of an Eastern vibe to this song almost Persian. The percussion is presented through bongos or tablas that feel incredibly dynamic and organic. I enjoyed the undercurrent of kinetic energy the percussion provided against the veil of atmosphere and mystique the oboe provided.

“A Peacock Wedding” and “Surface Tension” are engaging piano pieces while “Passing Go” revolves around percussion and oboe. “Crypsis” was a personal highlight. The oboe cries on this song making it one of the most dynamic and emotionally resonant pieces on the album.

I think it's fair to say when faraway is here will resonate with a niche audience. These songs aren’t pop in any sense of the word. The melodies aren’t particularly easy to hum along with and there aren’t any hooks. Perhaps the most impressive aspect is that the album is truly one where you don’t need to skip tracks. It feels best served by pressing play on the first song and then guiding you to a pleasurable journey through technical mastery and creative intuition.
Tweet
1 Comment
Max
10/18/2015 06:36:35 pm

What a nice review! Thank you for the kind words.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band
© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact