Mnemonic Device
Michael Bolla
Independent
2000
5 tracks
The biggest disappointment in this release is that it doesn't contain more songs. The five songs that are included are indefinably special and a treat to hear. That's my opinion. On the other hand, I suspect this music falls into the you-love-it-or-you-hate-it category. I'm sure that for some listeners it will be just too eclectic or even... well, weird. I love it.
I wish the lyrics had also been included in the package. They sound very interesting and I would have welcomed the opportunity to read as well as hear them.
Bolla's sound really doesn't fall into a specific category, but there is a certain relatedness to the work of other musicians which may suggest a genre as yet undefined. Bolla's music has a certain unity to it yet is some of the most eclectic work on one release that I've heard in some time.
On first impression, I was reminded of Bill Cosby's jazz work on albums like Badfoot Brown and the Bunyons Bradford Funeral & Marching Band, a wonderful release in its own right. Bolla's use of musical entropy and chaos is reminiscent of the experimental work heard on some of The Monkees' less well-known songs. Bolla's excellent guitar playing ranges between Santana and Hendyx, but elements of jazz and the classics are scattered thoughout like stars set against the dark rock underpinnings.
The vocals are as diverse as the backing instrumentals. Here's an artist whose vocal sound can range from Neil Young ("Chemistry In Your Eyes") to Lou Reed or possibly early Frank Zappa ("So Bizarre") and sound good in all modes.
"So Bizarre" is my personal favourite on this release. This is a dramatic work, opening like a symphony with strings and timps then slipping into a solid beat behind spoken vocals. The simple sung chorus is an ideal complement to Bolla's vocal. The basic rock guitar lines serve to underline the vocals and add interest to the backing instrumentals.
"It's All Over" starts out with a quiet Fifties sound that separates it from the other four songs on this release, but entropy prevails and the song disintegrates to chaos and then silence. What a way to end an album.
If you enjoy music that's experimental and falls somewhere along the jazz rock-fusion continuum with bright splashes borrowed from the classics and pop music, then Mnemonic Device may be just your thing. If you like your music regular and predictable, then maybe this release is the one to change your mind.
You can find more information on Michael Bolla and this release at earbuzz.com.
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