The Fierce and The Dead

 

So, the loop-guitar maestro, Matt Stevens, has picked up the electric guitar, in this collaboration with two other musicians, and come up with a 19 minute tour de force of progressive and experimental instrumental rock. Long instrumental songs always run the risk of losing my interest fairly quickly, but in this particular case, the soundscape kept me mesmerized through-out. As someone who hates being able to predict the next turn, hook or line, this was refreshing to say the least. It seems like 3 muso's got together and said: Let's do what we want to do. If people like it, they'll pay for it, or not, but they'll tell others, and if they don't like it, who cares, we like it.

I doubt one will ever see this performed live, as the composition of the whole things seems rather random and organic, but then again, watching rock instrumental operas are best left for lying in a couch. Or in this case, on your mp3-player, eyes closed, visualising whatever part 1 of the The Fierce and the Dead may look like.

BTW - it sit's like a charm in my ear when I work - which says a lot for prog rock.

Negatives: it's long. I can listen to this track only once every so often, due the intricate nature thereof, and also because it lacks hook and lick, but one has to consider the intent and context. Most people will not particularly like this, I'm sure, as I think you might need to be a muso or into this type of thing to truly enjoy it.

You can find them at: www.fierceandthedead.com or pay-what-you-want (including free) on the link supplied above. If you like it, please share it and support this type of music distribution and the artists putting there hearts out there.