Emerging from the strict confines of
the string quartet, Ozere has striven to expand beyond them and take
the possibility of a quartet to the next level. Mixing classical
influences with world music and folk elements Ozere seems to be well
underway to pushing the boundaries of what a modern string quartet
can be and do. Their album Finding Anyplace
is a tranquil and refreshing exploration of how mixing elements of
different genres can work in harmony.
Finding Anyplace takes
classical string focused structure and tampers with it's dynamics.
And while the strings for the most part stay the center and launching
point of the band, they share the spotlight with the vocals of Emily
Rockards and Jessica Deutsch. Lending a tender folk sound to the
album Rockards and Deutsch give the rigid structure of the quartet a
gentle nudge into more song based arrangements. Those moments are
nice and intimate but Ozere really does their best work as a modern
string quartet. Finding Anyplace has
a loosely Celtic/Gypsy feel to it and the string arrangements are
beautifully delicate, worldly, and atmospheric. The guitar work,
violins, bass, and cello arrangements are simply stunning and will
give you goosebumps. The instrumental pieces have this old world
feel to them that feels simple yet texturally complicated; it's a bit
of time travel stuffed into a five minute song.
Finding Anyplace is
a fantastic effort and Ozere have done an amazing job at finding
their niche and crafting an album that transports you away from the
confines of your modern life. They have successfully taken the
string quartet and given it a modern slant by mixing traditional old
world sounds and folk music into a stirring mix. If ever there was a
“classical crossover,” sort of album Finding Anyplace
would have to be it. Finding
Anyplace is well worth finding
anyplace you can find it!
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