Search - Anal Stench :: Red Revolution

A Rare Gem for All Music-Lovers

NedMuffin | Cambridge, UK | 07/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Originally, the Stench never set out to be revolutionaries, their first release 'You Make Me Puke' included lute playing of the highest order, which emphasised the passionate beauty of Debussy's music.



This new disk of Tchaikovsky's early sonatas ignores that fine tradition of musicianship. Now, A.S. urge us to ask penetrating questions and challenge the received opinions about the nature of music and the formation of the Soviet Union: they see themselves as judicious intermediaries between the composer's message and us, their audience.



By cleverly combining the natural exuberance of the ukulele with the delicate, haunting sound of the French horn and the plastic kazoo, Stench are able to counter-balance the dwarfish castrato, Phil, who sings random entries from Stalin's personal diary.



Thus, the composer's true intent is finally revealed with a passionate conviction. Suffice to say, this disc is a rare gem and should grace the collections of all who have an interest in classical Russian music and the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939."