by Topology
Brisbane quintet Topology have been creating uncompromising and engaging music for around 16 years. The classical combination of strings, piano, saxophone and bass can be said to be anything but "classical combo". Their unconventional approach to composition has seen them collaborate with an amazing array of musicians (Terry Riley, Brodsky Quartet, Steve Reich and John Zorn to name a few!) They have also dabbled in many different genres of musical performance such as classical, jazz, electronic, theatre, comedy, ballet and popular music.
Ten Hands, their 10th album has been written as a continuous, hour long performance, divided into 16 tracks. Despite this intention, each track seems to sit quite happily as a separate entity, with a common, connecting thread seemingly culminating in the centre of the work with what is a first for Topology: a "contemporary pop" vocal piece using the talents of bassist Robert Davidson. The album is dynamic, provocative and cinematic, combining triumphant, delicate and emotive performance to create a magnificent example in truly adventurous Australian music.
Evan Carr (The Art of Bleep!, Sundays midnight – 2am)
This week's Top 10:
