It all fits together in an unexplainable fashion
author: Mish Mash
If there is such a thing as alternative fusion, Whitford would be a prime example. The basic approach is prog rock, but the execution is purely "alternative" both in sound and scope. Jangly fuzz guitars ride along with a pounding drumbeat, while snatches of jazz saxophone rise up through the melee... About halfway in, the lines between the tracks become a blur, and you eventually end up with a 47 minute long musical collage which swells and recedes like the tide.
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Complexity breeds my interest
author: Lost At Sea
Whitford create an interesting sound that starts of extremely simple and minimalist but then progresses, building up in complexity as it goes along. This is demonstrated really well in the album's second song "Blue Balkyrie is about to die" and the third song "Ottimo Massimo." Actually, almost all the songs show it, and it sounds really good.
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Whitford is a band of contradictions.
author: Delusions Of Adequacy
In the course of this one album, Whitford explores probably every single influence they have and every idea they can come up with - everything from post-rock to jazz to jam-rock to half a dozen other things. Whitford manages to hold these songs together for a very tight album that really builds on the promise of their first full-length. They are a lot more free, here, exploring their musical influences and managing to tie everything together in a unique and exciting way.
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Whitford draw their influences from all over the stylistic map.
author: Splendid
After a spate of bad luck, this quartet abandoned vocals. This left them plenty of time to focus on their instruments -- time they put to good use honing their craft. While their song titles are a little ridiculous, their music is well-constructed. They draw their influences from all over the stylistic map, creating an interesting sonic blend, incorporating touches of jazz, progressive rock and good old jangle. At times, it sounds like the darkly futuristic work of King Crimson. At others, the songs hint at the good-natured experimentation of Rush. These moments pass quickly, much like the songs themselves, because the band wisely stops them before they wear out their welcome. This is a narrow path to follow; on one side is a pit of uncompleted notions, while on the other is a morass of meandering melodies. Whitford manages to achieve a solid balance between the two, which keeps things interesting without becoming overwrought. As such, their doubly self-titled disc makes an entertaining listen. -- Ron Davies
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