Dr. Purgatory: The Consumption: A Tragic Folkale in Six Parts

Guitarist Herbie Hancock-esque fantasy soundtrack of sorts with The Consumption: A Tragic Folk Tale In Six Parts.

His septet, featuring his guitars, two reed players, a violin, piano, bass, and drums, makes a cinematic sound. It is a concept album paired with a 46- plus-page novella. The music stands on its own. But, especially for fans of fantasy fiction, the written word serves as an enhancement to the listening experience.

Riddell also cites literary influences: Cormac McCarthy's 1985 novel Blood Meridien movies come into play with Riddel's interest in Lars Von Trier's art horror film Antichrist. Dark themes emerge, but the album is intricately crafted and ultimately uplifting.

"Prologue (Barbatos Speaks To the Animals)" is a shining chamber piece, with Riddell's guitar singing inside the ensemble. "Creature (Graiae The One- Eyed Orphan) was (perhaps still is) a hairless cat. Riddell transformed the damaged animal into the main character of his book. There is a tragic fox (as if the hairless cat were not tragic enough). There is a Philistine and a necropolis.

Themes may be dark. The influences may be esoteric and/or obscure (O.K., Bjork is not obscure), but the overall vibe is optimistic. The music is beautifully expressed—intricate and cerebral while remaining engaging and cohesive in this written word/music creation.

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