[.ca] Handwriting

From Amazon.com:
When this album was initially released in 1995, it was met with some skepticism; after all, the idea of an indie rocker (Rodan's Jason Noble) getting together with some classically trained pals (violist Christian Frederickson and pianist Rachel Grimes, another former rocker) and putting out an album of original classical compositions sounded like a bit of a stretch. It was--but not for the band. Recorded over the space of a few years with help from members of Shellac, the Cocktails, and various symphony orchestras, Handwriting is a remarkably cohesive, listenable, and interesting album--and if that sounds like anything short of a rave, it shouldn't. --Randy Silver

this happens to be in my CD player right now.:
And it usually stays there along with "music for Egon Schiele" which I would consider to be the two best by Rachel's thus far, their newer albums being a little too sleek and calculated. (but still okay, I guess) The first album by the Rachel's, these sounds are strung together intricately and woven with attention to detail. This music is gritty and passionate, somewhat somber, beautiful, engaging, romantic. Ace!

Very impressive:
If your not familiar with this group, get on the train! I read a lot about classical music from other reviewers and I can see how people would compare this to that genre. Only one problem; for me, I'm not crazy about classical music in the traditional sense. I was slightly skeptical. I do love space/ambient though and groups like The Silver Mount Zion Orchestra who insert violin, piano and eerie classical/abient fusion. What a relief! This group is very much like "Zion' as they produce a beautiful spooky, mostly slow moving violin/piano based type of music that could best be described as "late night" music for the soul.

New Sound to "Classical":
I don't know if Rachel's is considered classical music or not. The instruments are the traditional classical variety; however, there are elements of jazz, new age, rock, and who-knows-what throughout the album. Southbound to Marion and Handwriting open and close the disc with a beautiful lyrical quality while M Daguerre has a strong jazz feel. Overall the album does not have a long play time with Full On Night, more of a wandering through noise than an actual "song", being quite lengthy. In comparison to other Rachel's works, I can only compare it to Music for Egon Schiele and The Sea and The Bells. This one is less "classical" than Music for Egon Schiele, which I think is their best work I've heard. To me, Handwriting is on par with Sea and Bells, as it contains some odd samples and a few minutes of noise as opposed to music. If you are looking for something different, try Rachel's. If you enjoy classical music, start with Music for Egon Schiele instead of Handwriting.

Handwriting:
This is a very interesting album. While I've never been a huge fan of classical, this group makes me more interested. Although Rachel's is very classical in feel, it also has a sense of mystery, which I like. This makes it very hard for me to analyze this album. I will say that if you like godspeed you black emperor! you may enjoy this album. I am in no way comparing the two, but see bits of similarity. Check out the songs "m. daguerre" and "full on night". These are the two I enjoy the most. "full on night" actually does sound a bit like godspeed! with all the train samples.

Creeping Moonlight:
This album sounds like something you might find on the record player in a haunted mansion. It certainly does have beauty and brilliance within, but it is at times clunky and harsh. I like that. Handwriting is definitely Rachel's eeriest album, The Sea and the Bells is their most polished album, and Selenography is their most far-out. Egon Schiele is the album for hardcore fans, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone to just wants to waltz with the poltergeists in their heads. Stick to Handwriting for that.

• Southbound to Marion
• M. Daguerre
• Saccharin
• Frida Kahlo
• Seratonin
• Full of Night
• Handwriting