Search - Trey Anastasio, Don Hart :: Time Turns Elastic (Dig) (Spkg)

Symphonic Trey

The Delite Rancher | Phoenix, Arizona | 09/08/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of most exciting songs to emerge from Phish (version 2.0) is 'Time Turns Elastic.' Comfortably sitting amongst tunes such as 'Guyute,' 'Reba' and 'Fluffhead,' this is a return to those epic, multi-part songs that we missed so much during the last few years of Phish (version 1.0). While the Phish interpretation can be heard on "Joy," it has also been well played over the summer tour. All of that written, this album doesn't sound anything like Phish; this is Trey Anastasio with Don Hart and the Northwest Sinfonia. "Time Turns Elastic" (TTE) is an entirely symphonic experience. Nothing can really prepare the listener for this project. Like "One Man's Trash," this falls far out of the usual range of Anastasio's solo work. While "Seis de Mayo" comes closest, this is truly different in terms of the scale and the fact that the album features a single composition, 'TTE.' The recording begins with 'Song at Dawn,' which serves as a high-minded overture. 'Ruby Shaded Sea' is infused with a peculiar sound: classic fusion. A fair amount of this material features the same textural string arrangements and electric guitar work that was a signature element of the rock and jazz fusion movement of the 1960s and 70s. Think of Santana albums like "Illuminations" or Alice Coltrane's "Universal Consciousness." Even the flowery titles of the movements are in the same vein. While fusion hasn't aged gracefully for many listeners, the sound is employed here with integrity. Moving along, 'Submarine' not only features the first vocals, but it has the catchy chorus: 'In and out of focus, in and out of focus, time turns elastic.' The aquatic imagery brings to mind the time when John, Paul, George and Ringo took a similar submarine ride in Pepperland. When Phish plays the song, it begins with this movement. 'Landslide' continues Anastasio's vocals over a sizable string section. The large symphony orchestra stretches its muscles on 'Rays of Blue Light.' Moments of this movement could be the soundtrack to a spiritual epiphany. After meandering through 'Silver Sound Shower' and 'Hailstorm,' the resurgence happens with 'Funnels.' This is a return to the chorus and an emotionally charged climax. The entire composition clocks in under half an hour. To fill out the disc, the last track is a thirteen minute demo of the title track. After being worked over by a muscular orchestra, the demo is a return to acoustic simplicity. As a contrast to orchestral opulence, Anastasio performs the song with nothing more than his voice and an acoustic guitar. The CD comes with a six panel reproduction of the front cover. The Gerald Scarfe inspired art work may be a nod to an earlier project that featured a blending of rock and orchestral ideas: Pink Floyd's "The Wall." In the end, most Phish Heads aren't fans of the symphony orchestra, so it may take a few listens for "TTE" to get under the skin. Such listeners should have patience for a project that's so ambitious. If not entirely compelling, "Time Turns Elastic" stands as a very interesting Trey Anastasio album."