Moe Staiano: Away Towards the Light

Drummer Moe Staiano's Away Towards the Light is a meticulously crafted sonic tapestry that unfolds slowly, revealing its complexities with each listen. Performed at the Edgetone 25th anniversary concert, the piece features four guitar groupings, three groups with two guitars and a group of three—alongside Staiano's snappy attack and bassist 'Jason Hoopes sturdy undercurrent. While not strictly minimalist, the work shares a kinship with composers like Philip Glass and Steve Reich, though one suspects they never cranked their amps to 11.

Staiano employs repetition and layering, creating a sense of gradual evolution. However, unlike the strict structures often associated with minimalism, Staiano's work possesses a more organic feel and diverse frameworks.

A key element of this album is the prominent use of multiple guitars. They intertwine and interact, creating a rich and textured soundscape with hardcore phrasings in spots—imagine a chamber orchestra that discovered distortion pedals. At times they harmonize, creating shimmering chords; at other times they diverge, exploring different melodic fragments. This interplay is reminiscent of the phasing techniques employed by Steve Reich, although Staiano's approach feels less rigid. The guitars do not simply repeat and drift out of sync; instead, they engage in a more dynamic conversation, responding to each other and evolving together.

The music has a hypnotic quality, although this is not a static experience. Staiano subtly introduces variations, keeping the listener engaged. A new guitar line might emerge from the mix, or a previously unheard texture might surface. These subtle shifts prevent the music from becoming monotonous and add depth and complexity, rewarding close listening.

Staiano's music is less overtly melodic, focusing more on texture and atmosphere. The guitars are often treated with effects, creating washes of sound that envelop the listener. This creates a sense of space and depth.

"Movement 1" begins with a slamming slow-paced rock groove with cyclical patterns, moving to complex alterations in strategy via high-pitched sounds, reminiscent of clanging bells and rippling chord arrangements—as if Thor decided to take up experimental composition. It is a trip into no man's land, complete with unorthodox deliberations. Yet "Movement 2" commences with pensive lines, leading to discordant stammering chords and the leader's forceful drumbeats.

Away Towards the Light is an album that demands patience. But for those willing to invest the time, the reward is a rich and engaging listening experience. It stands as a journey through sound that is both challenging and attractive—like a sonic Everest, requiring a bit of effort to summit, but offering breathtaking views once you reach the peak.