Although indie and alternative music might aspire toward a certain avant-garde edginess, much of it is, from a music theory standpoint, fairly simplistic. Perhaps its the three-to-four chord punk and folk influences at play. Perhaps its the scene's initial emphasis on DIY ethics and a certain scorn toward polished, overly academic approaches to songwriting. Or perhaps rock n' roll in general will never quite compete on a technical level with Beethoven's symphonies. Regardless, and minus a few post-rock/baroque pop exceptions, music from indie and alternative bands often seems quite distanced from the classical tradition.
Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood and Bryce Dessner of The National, however, testify to other possibilities for artists typically associated with alt-rock. On a split compilation released through Deutsche Grammophon and Universal Classics, the two present original compositions of elegant, at times harrowing, classical music.
Dessner's three lengthy tracks on the album do make some use of electric guitar. This occasionally reminds listeners of his contributions to The National, particularly around the halfway point of "Raphael." In general though, Dessner has eschewed the electronic influences that accompany many instrumental works performed by contemporary artists associated with rock bands. His gorgeous, ornate, orchestral creations sound timeless and sincere.
Greenwood proves the grimmer of the pair, offering nine shorter pieces from his score to Paul Thomas Anderson's 2007 masterpiece There Will Be Blood. His music is sharper and more malicious than Dessner's, bringing a menacing undercurrent to the fluttering arrangements. "Henry Plainview," with its beehive of strings is particularly unnerving, if not muted on record compared the film's use of the theme.
Throughout the compilation, both Greenwood and Dessner emerge as accomplished composers. They demonstrate that though experimentation in the arts can be illuminating, at times older notions of beauty resonate even as aesthetic trends, fashions, and priorities change.
Grade: A-
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