Chris Connelly — The Episodes

Chris Connelly has transmogrified over the years from an industrial music guru in the nineties, a contributor to Ministry, Pigface and the Revolting Cocks, to a Leonard Cohen, Scott Walker influenced introspective songwriter. The Episodes finds Mr. Connelly in yet another mood; a sort of cathartic, semi-improvised, over the top campfire music. Purportedly. This music was recorded both in a studio in Chicago and on location at Lake Wandawega, Wisconson.

If it weren't noted on the sleeve, it would be difficult to suppose that any of these recordings were made in a calm, soothing outside environment (to be fair, only one track was). There's no mood of anything but suffocation on most of these tunes. The tracks include a minimum of six to eight musicians, and one track includes eighteen. Though the music is generally performed on acoustic instruments (guitars and drums), it is one hundred percent saturated by a band that sounds like it's at war with itself.

There is certainly an intent to make this music intense by pushing normally low key instruments to an extreme. It's an interesting idea in theory, but the reality is that any intensity generated is short lived because of the one-dimensionality of the performances. Intensity is created in an improvisational setting by the give and take of each performer, and most importantly, their ability to patiently listen to each other. There's very few peaks and valleys present on this release, and not much in the way of sensitive playing. Though the music is at times cohesive, the over the top approach renders it powerless. And unfortunately, that's not all. Connelly's voice isn't nearly emotive or strong enough to get across above the din. There's only one Scott Walker, and to aspire to such a level without the same dedication to the details, and most importantly, without the same amazing vocal ability, is quite a tightrope walk. Maybe next time.