MIKE KENEALLY & METROPOLE ORKEST: THE UNIVERSE WILL PROVIDE

Up until now my only experience with Mike Keneally's music was his "Dancing" record from 1999. So needless to say I wasn't prepared for what I was about to hear when I started to spin this one. "The Universe Will Provide" is Mike on guitars and electric piano playing with the METROPOLE ORCHESTRA. No I wasn't expecting so much orchestral music, in fact i'm not the biggest fan of orchestral music so it took several spins before I started to really appreciate what they had created here. My family unfortunately never warmed up to me playing this record this week(hehe).

"Blue 68" is a beautiful and mellow tune with strings and acoustic guitar. "All Of Them Were Quiet" reminds me of Chamber music to start then the horns cry out followed by electric guitar a minute in which will soon set the soundscape on fire as the orchestral sounds continue. Cool stuff. A calm follows as themes are repeated. A great piece of music here. "Room" has a catchy sound with light drums, guitar and piano. I like it! Check out the electric piano around 2 minutes. Strings before 3 minutes and they stop before 4 1/2 minutes.

"Insert I here I" is a short orchestral piece. "Archaic Peace Strategies" opens with electric piano, strings, horns and more. It kicks in louder before a minute then it becomes horn led followed by the electric guitar leading the way. This is an impressive display of instrumental music. "Four Slices Of Toast" is the longest tune at almost 12 minutes and my favourite. A sparse beginning with piano and other intricate sounds coming and going. It becomes fuller after a minute before settling back as the guitar joins in before 3 1/2 minutes. It sounds so good here with that beat. Silence 5 minutes in then a great groove with avant sounding guitar. I dig this so much. Insanity 9 1/2 minutes in until it stops after 10 minutes as we get a change. For some reason i'm reminded of Miles from here to the end.

"Worrywart Spoonguy" has a nice guitar intro before it settles back with electric piano and more. So much going on including vibes, a bass horn and more. Guitar to the fore as the song continues to shift. "When Drums Dream" is not your typical drum solo. "Insert I Here II" is another short orchestral piece. "Not Just Flutes" sounds like Chamber music to start, quite laid back then it kicks into gear but not for long. Intricate guitar 2 minutes in as it stays relaxed to the end. "Quiet!" is mellow with aboe and horns with a few outbursts. "Bullies" opens with intricate guitar and flute then the horns blast as the drums join in. I like the horn playing over top before 2 minutes. A calm follows as strings arrive with horns and drums. I must say at times including here it sounds like i'm listening to a soundtrack to a film. It's building before 4 minutes as ripping guitar follows.

An interesting album that fans of orchestral music should eat up. The sudden outbursts of multi-horns at times is still tough to enjoy for me but I have come to really appreciate this record.