Search - Rasputina :: Oh Perilous World

I think I know what "D" stands for

Robert Burns | Tallahassee, Florida United States | 06/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Oh Perilous World" is another step in the direction hinted at w/ the highly underrated "Cabin Fever". This time out we have a kind of concept album w/ lyrical content influenced by current events more so than on previous releases. Even when the subject matter veers toward the more familiar Rasputina territory of centuries past, it draws interesting parallels between our civilization's past and present, often pointing out how little we seem to learn from our mistakes.

Musically, Melora Creager continues to move forward ensuring that no Rasputina record sounds like what she's done before.The dulcimer that first showed up on "Cabin Fever" plays a more prominent role along w/ some wonderful recorder playing by Ms. Creager and some piano provided by (official member since "Frustration Plantation") drummer Jonathan TeBeest. This is all anchored quite expertly by the cello playing of Melora and new 2nd cellist Sarah Bowman.

The melodies are, as always, gorgeous and the band balances the classical & heavy elements (along w/ some wonderful psychedelic moments) beautifully.

If you can, get the deluxe limited version. The bonus CD compliments the album even better than the one that accompanied the limited version of the last disc.

Lets hope that more people come to realize what a national treasure we in the U.S. have in Rasputina. Support the lovely, dangerous art of Rasputina while they are around. You don't run across music this great every day."

One of the best albums of 2007

Dividingcanaan | 06/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a Rasputina fan from the beginning, I think this is absolutely one of their best, musically tightest albums. The narrative fits together like a complicated puzzle, revealing subtleties with each listen. Rasputina continues to be one of the fiercest rock bands on the planet, but IMO, this album contains a deeper emotional resonance than prevous releases. The band has always tempered balls out rock with beautiful, emotional passages, and they've perfected that approach. Melora imbues every word and passage with knowledge, and a true understanding of every angle of the story she's telling. While Rasputina are definately challenging themselves and their fans, Oh Perilous World is also their most accessible album. I feel like any person who likes good music and songwriting, regardless of genre, would like, or at least respect this album. There's nobody in existance like Rasputina, and I think they've continually raised the bar for good music in general. I was actually thinking the other day about how I've never had a friend say anything bad to me about Rasputina. I've met people who didn't love them, but they're always blown away by their musicianship. So, if you love Rasputina, I think you'll love this album. If you're not familiar, but consider yourself a fan of good, unique music, Oh Perilous World is worth a listen."

You're showing every sign of losing your heart

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 07/09/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gothic alt-rock played with cellos -- it sounds pretty horribly precious, doesn't it?



And it would be, if Rasputina weren't such great musicians, who could mingle tragic history stories with quirky chamberpop and classical instrumentation. And their latest album "Oh Perilous World" comfortably straddles the fence between rock and cabaret, and seems to be having fun while it does so.



It opens with a creepy, ominous cello melody, and Melora Creager's girlish voice telling us solemnly, "In the spring of 1315/There began an era of unpredictable weather/It did not lift until 1851/You remember 1816 as the year without a summer." It's a rambling, weird song about Freemasons, Ben Franklin, Frankenstein, volcanoes and other such subjects.



Things get even stranger with the quirky chamber-rocker that follows ("choose me to be your champion/I am possessing of a very righteous style!"), not to mention the string of melodies that follow: clashing cellopop, gothic balladry, a rapid-fire rocker, a tinkly pop song, rambling interludes, and the sweeping beauty of "Old Yellowcake" and the sly "A Retinue Of Moons/The Infidel Is Me."



Rasputina is one of those genrebusting bands -- they manage to keep themselves rooted in rock, pop, chamber music, and still sound like they live in a big old ruined Victorian house with some friendly ghosts and a lot of newspapers. They're a little bit of everything, and have kept their quirk.



Obviously the main instrument here is cello. Lots of cello. And Creager knows how to mold it to her purpose, whether it's a melodious sweep, an awkward twang, or urgent dark chords like an electric guitar. But to keep it from getting monotonous, there's some fuzzy guitar in "Draconian Crackdown" that takes over the song, as well as a gentle piano in the ballads, and a jingle of bells here and there.



Creager has a pretty, girlish voice, but she sings some pretty weird, sometimes gruesome songs about broken butterflies, blood-spattered lace curtains and the descendants of mutineers. Some are taken from actual history. And how can you ignore lyrics so quirky as to tell you that a reaper is inthe flowerbed? Or that "I have charisma and of course a winning smile/I stand accused of being an audacious redeemer/Not a charge I can deny."



Full of history and dark humor, "Oh Perilous World" is a pretty solid chamber-rock album that has its moments of excellence. Definitely worth hearing, if nothing else for its cello playing."