PALINDROME

The use of a real church pipe organ -- an 1849 Whalley-Genung in the First Presbyterian Church of Port Townsend to be exact -- recalls Minimum Vital from France (or their more- recent derivation, Vital Duo). The long sinewy melody lines remind of Ratledge-era Soft Machine. The recording quality is intentionally vintage, recorded partly in the aforementioned church and partly in a converted barn in Port Townsend, directly to a Revox A-77 two-track. Instruments include analog synthesizers and vintage keyboards such as the Mellotron and Fender Rhodes piano, plus a mind-boggingly huge drumkit.

If you're familiar with Glass's music you know they sound like nobody else -- epic and hypnotic at the same time, tuneful and repetitive. This their seventh release continues the patented "Glass sound," but with the added benefit of a total rethinking of modern recording techniques.

It might take several spins to adjust your ears, as this CD sounds like nothing else on the market. The effort will be richly rewarded however with a glimpse of the musical vision of the world's most distinct symphonic progressive trio.