Cody Carpenter and Friends Shake Up The Joint
by Simona Supekar
.
Take some lighthearted melodies, mix in
a few macabre crescendos, fold in several heart-pounding solos, and sprinkle
on just a tiny bit of Postmodern angst, and you'll have a menu for an exciting
new group comprised of a young man named Cody Carpenter and his talented
cohorts. Performing for practically the first time together at LA's indie-friendly
The Joint, Carpenter and friends (who included the likes of Burt Bacharach's
violinist Eliza James) blew away the crowded house with dramatic synthesizer
work and charming personalities to boot. The atmospheric music was perhaps
heightened by the virtual aquariums that line The Joint's walls, as well
as by the group's sheer elevation on the four-foot high stage, making this
venue a perfect debut space for Carpenter and friends.
Son of legendary horror movie guru John
Carpenter (Halloween), Cody has carried on the family's artistic
tradition of excellence tempered with unorthodoxy to embark upon his own
career. After recording for several months at Cherokee Studios in Hollywood,
this group has perfected the distinct style that was evident by the range
of their nine-song set. Replete with wandering spotlights, "I Alone" had
the feel of a high-pursuit chase in a 1970's Blaxploitation flick, while
the melancholy and sweet "Tonight" began with some flattering harmonizing
and had an almost Smashing Pumpkin-esque feel. "Dyers Rocket" featured
a dazzling violin solo by young virtuoso Eliza James. Perhaps the pinnacle
of the group's talent was the instrumental piece they did; Kevin Stevens'
drumming swelled while bassist Derek Frank and guitarist Zack Throne let
it rip with electrifying chords. A whiz on the synthesizer, Cody Carpenter
let some fresh sounds rip as his fingers leapt from one keyboard to the
other. The audience rewarded them with enthusiastic cheers and applause
as they each let loose their talent full force like a gang of superheroes.
This band proves to be an exciting foray into the world of progressive
and experimental rock-a welcome new voice for the year 2006.
Links
Visit
the official homepage
Cherokee
Studios.com
tell
a friend about this review
.
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