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Pitom: Blasphemy and Other Serious Crimes
ByBut while listening to this release, there's the feeling that Zappa would have found a much deeper and spikier insight on such a holy day a sarcastic, ironic one, perhaps, or even one that loathed the way that organized religions attempt to entrench constant guilt as a mean of control. Pitom's members, gifted as they are, remain far from replicating Mahavishnu's level of virtuous playing, even at the Orchestra's moments of excess, and it is hard to believe that Pitom's manifestation of sonic angst is nothing more than a compositional and stylistic exercise; paler in its emotional intensity than that of early grunge bands.
Pitom's affinity with some of Zorn's repertoire is evident in its combination of fusion and heavy metal riffs with noise, punk with some klezmer shtick, especially on "Vos Zogt Ir," a too-obvious tribute to Zorn's compositional style. But contrary to the promising title of this album, there is a benevolent adoption of these genres, not a rebellionsonic or culturalnor a convincing attempt to create a singular music language that reflects the emotional and intellectual inner battle of the believer on such a tormenting day, or about the cultural identity of a musician that corresponds with other cultures and beliefs.
The end result is so disappointing because each of Pitom's members are excellent musicians. But this set of eleven compositions focuses on their excessive sides and misses their other qualities.
Track Listing
In the Merit of...; Blasphemy and Other Serious Crimes; Head in the Ground; Resentful Repentance; Stumbling Block; Confusion of the Heart; A Crisis of Faith; Neilah; Epic Encounter; Vos Zogt Ir; Azazel.
Personnel
Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz: bass; Yoshie Fruchter: guitar; Kevin Zubek: drums; Jeremy Brown: violin, viola.
Album information
Title: Blasphemy And Other Serious Crimes | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Tzadik
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