County Road X
© Copyright-Adventure Records
(823287110121)
Record Label: Adventure Records
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One the most exciting elements of modern music is the incorporation of foreign instrumentation into a defined "genre." Perhaps the unique combination of instruments used by Boulder, Colorado's County Road X contributes to the difficulty of categorizing their music. The group consists of Erik Deutsch (piano), Doug Anderson (bass/accordian), Glenn Taylor (pedal-steel/percussion), James Hoskins (cello), TaddVancil (drums) and Kevin Hendricks (glockenspiel/crotales). The result of the ensemble is a series of lush arrangements that yield dissonant crescendos and whimsical, melodies. Deutsch, Anderson and Vancil provide a steady rhythm section complimented by the meandering fills of Taylor and Hoskins. Hendricks' subtle compliments thicken the mixture. CRX's music evokes landscapes and movement, like a road trip of sound.
On "Nkisi," the driving cello and drums lay the canvas for a frenetic showcase of Taylor's pedal-steel. The abstract "Taddlib" conjures images of a brewing storm on the Great Plains. "Parlor Song" is a beautifully dark amble through each element of the group from sweeping piano to weeping cello and piercing guitar. The final track on CRX's self-titled debut, "First Language" features Anderson on accordian. Initially it feels like the Right Bank of the Seine, but with the arrival of Taylor's guitar shifts to the banks of Mississippi. The maiden voyage of County Road X is a triumphant one. If only there was a screenplay worthy enough for an album that could be an epic soundtrack.
Kirk Peterson, Boulder Theater
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Mastered by the 2003 Grammy Award Winner Matt Sandoski.
Check out County Road X's latest album: From Seed to Stone
available at CD Baby.
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author: CD Baby
Jazz meets and embraces the growth, pain and victories of life at this moment. With the passion of the cello, dreamy backdrops, "acid," limitless conception, and daring emotional actualizations, this fusion CD sets a new stage for the genre. Unlike so many of its kind, this one is absolutely engaging, intense and persistently innovative.
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I'm glad I tried this!
author: Robert M.
I'm always looking for new music, and stumbled upon this CD - the variety of instruments being played in this jazz/Americana experiment combine for a sound that is at times spare but never thin. I like this experiment and breadth of sound - you might too!
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A unique album in need of a better editor.
author: Redbone
It took me over a year to pull the trigger and finally order this cd. While not totally unsatisfied (there are some brilliant moments on the album), my biggest single complaint is that it was poorly edited. That's what happens sometimes when the creative artists are also in charge of editing and post-production. Some otherwise remarkable compositions are rendered fairly unremarkable by the unwillingness to edit. This could have easily ranked five stars.
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Paths of the heart are swept clean in this moody yet groovy jazz fusion brillian
author: Tamara D. Turner
Jazz meets and embraces the growth, pain and victories of life in this exquisite jazz fusion CD reeking of intelligence. With the passion of the cello, dreamy backdrops, limitless conception, and daring emotional actualization, this fusion CD sets a new stage for the genre. Unlike so many of its kind, this band from Boulder, CO is absolutely engaging, intense and persistently innovative. With the unique instrumentation of piano, pedal steel guitar, cello, upright bass, and drums this is a new sound experience characterized by the band as Trailer Park Jazz.
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