Artists

ARCHITECTURAL METAPHOR: Other Music

Who and what are Arc Met? They are a three piece space rock band from Massachusetts. They have been playing a style of non-commerical, improvisational music for 13 years now. Paul Eggleston, founding member, came up with the name in 1984. The name comes out of the way the band composes songs through jam sessions. How did the name come about, well, I think that Deb Young, ex-drummer/percussionist, put it best: "Our music is constantly improvisational. It turns into something eventually, like architecture. It's sort of a psychedelic process".

The band usually performs one (if an opening act) or two covers in their sets by bands that they have obviously been influenced by such as Hawkwind, Roxy Music, King Crimson, Pink Floyd and Tangerine Dream. The band's sound used to be very heavy on the synthisizers with the guitar laying down a spacey wave through the music as opposed to a standard song riff, with the songs free flowing in space. The only words were the occassional poem. Now in the 90's, since the joining of Greg on guitar, the guitar has played a more dominant role in their sound, still not relying on any standard riffs, but giving the band more of the rock elements of Hawkwind, Ozric Tentacles and King Crimson. The band are at their best when performing live.
.................Scott Heller, Arc Met Historian and Fan.

"Other Music" is a live CD by one of the best US space rock groups. Latest addition to the line-up is Patrick Murphy from Dinosaur JR on drums. There has never been a bass player in this band. After the Creature of the Velvet Void album released on Black Widow Records in 1997 the band haven't really put out any new studio material, so live albums are welcome.

Other Music includes a couple of new tracks, a couple of ArcMet classics and a few covers. "On the Run" isn't one of the most usual Pink Floyd tracks to cover, and their version sounds nice. Another big influence for the band is Hawkwind, and we got to hear their instrumental version of "Hassan I Sahba" and at the end of the CD also a short narration piece "Welcome to the Future". The guys can create an unbelievable rich sound with just the three of them, and the playing is flawless. Sequencers are at times used to bring in some Tangerine Dream feel. Paul is talented keyboard player and uses a lot of heavy, full chords and nice sound effects. Greg plays a LOT of melodic solos that fill in the absence of vocals very well. The selection of Pat Murphy as a new drummer was also definitely a good move. The sound quality on the CD is comfortable, but not absolutely great.

Check out the artist's website:
http://www.geocities.com/arcmetgreg/

Track List:
1. Ouverture 1393
2. On the Run
3. Nuclear Sun
4. Aftermath
5. Sabath Maker
6. Hassan I Sahba
7. Kairos
8. Welcome to the Future

Suggested CDs:

Other Genres: