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HESTON RIFLE

What to do at Time of Accident…

Ernest Jennings Record Company
rating icon 8 / 10

Track listing:

01. Devices To Transcend Dreaming
02. Can you Guess How Much that Guy Weighs?
03. Sarnand
04. A String Of Dead Words
05. Tris Babollsa
06. Bill Vs. The Radio Edit

Throw open the gates to your fragile psyche and let the daring instrumental bliss of New York's HESTON RIFE wreak havoc. I had doubted the entertainment value of instrumental rock albums in the past (even after PELICAN taught me a lesson),only to take the plunge and discover the many treasures contained therein. And I still approached "What to do at Time of Accident…" with trepidation. Shame on me again. The album is a wonderful example of what a band of talented musicians can do when the decision is made to let the instruments do the talking.

In the case of HESTON RIFLE, it is violinist Vicki Pilato that makes all the difference. Her playing is an essential component of the album's six majestic (yet rocking) compositions. Rather than being monolithic like a PELICAN, the edges of HESTON RIFLE are frayed and the band plays with a jazzy free spirit. Coupled with some fantastic bass work by Jerry Chierchio (pay attention to this guy),Pilato's playing can be elegant, but often dark and foreboding as well. Discounting the instrument, based on some kind of arrogant rock purism, is a big mistake. Hearing is believing. In the case of HESTON RIFLE, her contribution is essential. Without it, the structure would collapse.

Where GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR may paint in more ethereal colors, HESTON RIFLE, while not dispensing with the mind-expanding fare (listen to the 12-minute "Bill vs. The Radio Edit"),is quite aggressive. Guitarist Bill Oxios and Brian Gallagher provide a lot of crunch with rough-hewn riffs that are anything but subtle.

There isn't a dull moment to be found on the 47 minutes of "What to do at Time of Accident…" I've got a sneaking suspicion that the band's live show is loud and raucous. Having now experienced the group's studio magic, you can bet I won't miss an opportunity to catch a show.

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