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Mostly Other People Do the Killing: Disasters Vol. 1
ByDisasters Vol. 1 is not a double-entendre title; the tracks refer to Pennsylvania disasters. Some, such as "Three Mile Island," are obvious references while the underground fires of "Centralia" are less known. What those pieces and most of the album have in common is a swinging, shuffling, dance feel with rock and roll elements. The fun belies the title sources. Only on "Johnstown" are there brief passages that reflect the solemnity of the horrific floods and fires of 1889.
Swing and blues always had a place in Elliot's compositions, but in MOPDtK's complex, larger iterations, it was more challenging for a listener to isolate them. The trio version of the group is often more straightforward in approach but hardly conventional. Unlike the all-acoustic Paint, Disasters Vol. 1 sees Stabinsky and Shea doubling up on electronics. The enhancements are usually subtle but on a track like "Marcus Hook" they can be shrill and detract from the piece. Still, followers of MOPDtK have come to expect some level of their trademark impertinence. As a whole, Disasters Vol. 1 is an excellent, if eccentric, piano trio album. Would it be inappropriate to hope for more such disasters?
Track Listing
Three Mile Island; Exeter; Marcus Hook; Wilkes-Barre; Centralia; Johnstown; Boyertown; Dimock; Wilkes-Barre (alt take).
Personnel
Mostly Other People Do the Killing
band / ensemble / orchestraRon Stabinsky
pianoMoppa Elliott
bassKevin Shea
drumsAdditional Instrumentation
Ron Stabinsky, Kevin Shea: electronics.
Album information
Title: Disasters Vol. 1 | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Hot Cup Records
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About Mostly Other People Do the Killing
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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