MUSIC REVIEWS

Reviews of our first CD-r, A Discreet History of Bone.

This was sent to me by George Parsons from Dream Magazine. It appeared in issue #7. We think it's an extraordinarily kind review.

Anvil Salute "A Discreet History of Bone" (Digitalis Industries) Gentle organic suburban tribal frottage discreetly oozing out of Norman, Oklahoma. Subtly delicate textures merge with thunderously powerful physicality over the course of the six improvisations presented here. Flickering ghostly half-light partially illuminates mushroom-fueled all night drum circles, free jazz loft dreams stumbling around in the dark, ectoplasmic Taj Mahal Travelers voyages, and percussive droning psychedelic mood music. I look forward to hearing more from these fine folks.

It's an online review from a DJ at KFJC 89.7 in the Bay Area & one of the better stations in the country. Thanks Numa.

"Anvil Salute from Norman, Oklahoma, is a best described by themselves as semi-improvised droning fractured folk. This is their first full release on the foxglove series from Brad Rose and Digitalis Industries. This album was recorded in April of 2005 at Mainsite Contemporary Art in Norman, Oklahoma. Percussion is a strong suit with Anvil Salute, their pieces make extensive use of many different percussion instruments from sleigh bells to cabaças. No semblance of lyrics to be found here, Anvil Salute stands on their musical merits alone. Their music evokes a feelings from relaxing acoustic pieces to tribal dances to free jazz with flute instead of a sax. I know what you are thinking, how can all this work together? Anvil Salute makes it almost seamless between tracks.

From Deep Water Acres web site, found in February 2006's installment of "Bones from the Garden" written by Lee Jackson, a swell guy.

"With A Discreet History of Bone, Norman, Oklahoma’s Anvil Salute, of the Maritime Fist Glee Club, offers up devotional psychedelic improv / dream music across six tracks that were captured live in early 05 in Norman. Expansive acoustic and electric tones slowly coil together as flowing orchestral builds and eventually break right through. Other moments combine primitive electronics and Native American tribal percussion into extended workouts that should arouse more than a few spastic physical reactions."

It's more a track-by-track description than a "proper" review, but "a discreet history of bone" is discussed at Mark Coyle's Unbroken Circle blog. Here's what he says, and while you're at it, you should check out his web site.

"With its plague depiction cover 'A Discreet [sic.] History of Bone' arrives by Anvil Salute. This release is a group improvisation performed live in April this year. It starts very hushed, almost imperceptible with cymbal washes, tense but quiet guitar and a feeling of huge space. On the second piece 'Blinking Red Face, Little Waxed Moustache' there is an emphasis on individual sounds rather than instruments making it seem like a field recording rather than music. 'Variations on a Modal Theme' is excellent, a soft unresolved melody explored on guitars and xylophone. 'Jive Talking' has faux voodoo rhythms, pounding with marimba. On the final extended piece 'Brad Is All; We All Play Free' we have an experimental jazz style close to A.M.M.. Screeching wind instruments play around a tense drone and chaotic percussion and then once this section is done, we end on a lovely quiet section."