Julia Kent — Green and Grey

Julia Kent is one of those figures in either popular or classical music you don't really hear about.  A cello player mostly known for being employed in Antony and the Johnsons, Kent, like Lisa Germano has decided to go solo on this release.  This is certainly not rock or pop, though.  Every track here is done in a neo-classical baroque style, very much like soundtrack music for any melodramatic movie you could name.

It's well performed with pristine production, but it's hard for me to say what audience this is really aimed for.  Obviously those into rock, pop or dance are not going to like the lack of a solid beat.  Those with more avant garde tastes will find this rather antiquated and stodgy.  Maybe this would appeal to the more conservative classical crowd, except that even masters like Beethoven, Bach and Mozart had a better ear for melodies that the masses would easily remember.  But one thing I do like is how the track Tithonos sounds uncannily like the soundtrack to Taxi Driver, although I'm not sure that's intentional.

Overall, this is rather pleasant baroque background music, if not especially memorable.  But more classically inclined people may find much to like from Green and Grey.