RE: A negative review for 2002

["Liebig, Steuart A." <Steuart.Liebig@maritz.com>]

Title: RE: A negative review for 2002

hey ted,

here's my take on things like this:

i actually use reviews like this in my press pieces because they actually do give the idea of what the music is - - *as seen through the eyes of the reviewer* - - which means that the reviewer is wearing his/her biases on his/her sleeve.

(one of my favorite reviews of one of my discs was saying that you shouldn't listen to it by yourself in a dark house. the reviewer didn't like the disc, but it sure *did* something to him.)

also consider that there are some great descriptors in here that would make me intrigued by your project:

>If Terminator 2's evil robot played Morricone-styled guitar to
the accompaniment of loops of questionable tonality, it'd
sound like Ted Killian.<

>For some reason, I was put in mind of the Cronenberg
flick Videodrome while listening; the whole idea of a
disintegrating future, of some kind of technological
breakdown is communicated in these tunes so
successfully that it's difficult to believe that there isn't
a piece of film that goes with them.<
 
>with a stomping bassline and searing
guitar that threaten to rip off your ears.<

>Not as truly astringent as other guitar-wielding noiseniks, Killian
seems to always keep some sense of the tune inside
his world-o'-shred.<

>That said, it's a strong album -- there are some good ideas
here -- but just don't be surprised if you find yourself digging
out your guitar and an EBow after giving it a spin.<

** what i see is that - - despite this person's trying hard not to like it (due to whatever personal reasons - - he seems to be quite tuned into the tech behind the disc - - probably a guitar player!)  - - he was actually **affected** by it. that *is* important!

** the last bit about making you want to get out your guitar and e-bow, while seeming like a slam, may actually be great because it points to the listener being inspired to go and make music . . .

also i think that it could be worse, it could say nothing about the music. contrast this with a review i got recently that lumped my cd "pomengranate" in with a bunch of "bass player" albums. it acted as if the album was supposed to be a showcase for my bass chops - - a solo vehicle for me in a blowing session  - - where is really is four concerti written for other soloists (the disc is about my *writing*, not my playing) . . .

in pollyanna-land,

stig

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