This is a one of a kind experience.  I will not attempt to categorized this music, I will simply tell you that it is unique and must be experienced. If I were to describe it, I might say "Eurythmics meet Pink Floyd meet Spyro Gyra" but that doesn't scratch the surface of this acoustically complex, sonically textured body of work.  When it comes on, take a moment to crank up the speakers, close your eyes, and enjoy the road the artists are taking you down.   Haunting vocals, bold rhythm, inventive lyrics and musical mastery all combine for one of the best albums I have heard in a long time, and one that enjoys a prime spot in my personal album rotation.  

I just put the finishing touches on something that has been rattling around in my mind for a while...just some food for thought, particularly as it concerns one of our own (Mark@xush)...this is a cutnpaste from a new article at www.xcdx.com

Audio Integrity and Sonic Whiplash

I was challenged a while back.  An friend from one of the newsgroups I frequent sent me a CD he had recently recorded.  I popped it into the old B&O and gave it a listen...and promptly came back with "Whaddaphuque??!!".  It didn't neatly fit into any category I could place it, wasn't commercial at all, and had more sonic "texture" than anything I have ever heard without significant chemical enhancement.

I diligently listened through several times...all the while eyeing my motto here..."Music that doesn't suck".  No, this doesn't suck.  It's honest, has great production value, and probably will never make it on the regular radio.

Do I add it to the play list?  Do I dare?  Will the listeners understand it, or will the casual surfer tune in, catch 30 seconds of this, and decide that XCDX is just too weird to listen too?? Problems, problems...

Finally, I decided to take the plunge, because I found MYSELF using this as a ambient music CD of choice. Not only does it not suck, but I like it a lot.  Not for music to dance to, or stuff to blast out in the garage when spinning wrenches on the bike, but for relaxing in my chair with my eyes closed, or for a long night of intimacy with a special someone. The band is "Analog Missionary" and the album is "Transmitter".  You may not hear it anywhere else, but it's in the rotation here.  Listen for it!

After the decision was made, I reflected on it and coined a term..."Audio Integrity".  Analog Missionary is not trying to be the "Next" anything...but they are the best damned Analog Missionary I have ever heard.  "Audio Integrity" goes beyond just not sucking.  It means taking some risks, producing the non-commercial, and saying
"This is where we are at, hope you like it". No apologies, no explanations.  The music should stand on its own, and this stuff does. I am proud to have it in the play list...

--

Lynrd

http://www.xcdx.com - Music that doesn't suck.