STOP MOTION ORCHESTRA

"Lightworks" was performed and recorded by a renewed line-up: founders Mohadev (guitars, synths, piano), Alden Doyle (violin) and Henna Chou (cello, keyboards) cooperate now with Leila Henley (saxophones, vocals), Sam Arnold (bass, acoustic guitar, banjitar) and Charlie Duncan (drums, percussion). Their music can be described as modern melodic Instrumental that blends together multiple Art-Prog-Rock, World-Fusion, Chamber, Contemporary Classical, and Soundtrack-Cinematic influences in a very own way. Oh yes, it also can be labeled as RIO/Avant-Prog. But it needs to be said, that STOP MOTION ORCHESTRA are at the light and positive end of Avant-Prog spectrum. So, the album title reflects the essence of music pretty well. It's intricate, dense, sophisticated, polyrhythmic and polymorphic work, but never abrasive, abrupt, provocative, or epatage. And it's very illustrative and picturesque? In fact, when you plunge into the fairytale and phantasmagoric world of "Lightworks" you'll forget how complex the music is? you'll simply get caught by the expressiveness of created images and visions. In other words, STOP MOTION ORCHESTRA are fantastic storytellers, and their stories (or music pictures) are always pleasant, captivating, and enjoyable. And they definitely know how to deliver their message to a listener without any words being said or sung. The female voicing you can hear in "Way to Sarov" is used as just another instrumental tool in a rich pictorial palette of the sextet.

To sum up, "Lightworks" by STOP MOTION ORCHESTRA is nothing short to a masterpiece which cannot be described properly in words. So, those who enjoy intricate, intellectual, yet entertaining cross-genre instrumental music should try the album for sure. Let me say my "Bravos" to this incredible ensemble! P.S. Of special note is the top-notch sound quality of the CD-edition. The general audio panorama is much better (to my taste) that of the digital version. Whatever it is, huge respect to Mohadev who is both recording and mixing engineer-producer of "Lightworks".

1. "Serafini's Cat" (6:10) angular and irregularly rhythmed in an avant/RIO way. Like Spirogyra with an attitude. Nice weave in the third minute followed by some delightfully melodic whole-group chord ascensions--which is then followed by the descent. Charming and simpler interplay for the following minute. These guys can really play! They're really working hard to be together--and it's working masterfully! I am truly impressed. Great stuff! (9.5/10)

2. "Way To Sarov" (8:45) opens with a similar sound palette and style, rhythm and even melody to the previous song, but then things get a little heavy/abrasive and then alternating with banjo (banjitar?) sections. Impressive instrumentalism, timing, and cohesion, but there are lacking melodic hooks and other accessible elements. The wordless vocalizations added in the fourth minute are one such attempt. It almost works. (8.5/10)

3. "Nerve Hurdle" (4:56) Wow! this guy can play guitar! And the drummer can lay down some interesting, amazing beats. All instruments seem to be playing the subsidiary support role to the drum and bass--in order to set up the foundation for the seething guitar in the second minute and the seering guitar for the rest of the song. (10/10)

4. "Metal Pants" (2:28) violin and sax playing off the bass and drums--as if they are playing in each others' spaces-- for the first minute. Then the band gels and fills the spaces together--guitar and bass stepping in to help this. Could use more melody (more than Middle Eastern/klezmer twang). (8.5/10)

5. "Oceano De Leche" (7:00) gorgeous neo-classical chamber post rock for seven minutes (not "11:26" as posted), except for brief passages, the instruments are all gelling and melding for the smoothest, most melodic run of the album. Nice piece--especially the smooth second half. (9.5/10)

Thus, this album is not 33 minutes long, as posted, but 29 1/2 an EP's worth of songs. Too bad: This is definitely one of the best albums I've heard this year!

Five stars; a masterpiece of progressive rock music downgraded for unacceptable brevity.

Stop Motion Orchestra comes across as one of the most easy to like bands I have encountered among the ones I see described on various sites as residing within an avant-garde progressive rock context. Elements from jazz and chamber rock are tossed in to an adventurous and mainly uplifting frame work here, with liberal amounts of what might be described as Americana tendencies thrown in for good measure here and there. As Cardiacs apparently is a distinct inspiration for this band, I'd guess that those who tend to enjoy the exploits of that band should feel right at home listening to this CD as well, a strong and well made debut album by a talented, adventurous band it is.