Comments (1) ... "With Strings Attached" opens with the tuning of an orchestra followed by a round of applause. This apt intro is then followed by slow cycles of deeply cinematic strings, percussive chimes, and ultra-mellow, shuffled beats beneath a female voice, whose tone perectly matches the lush quality of the music.

1. Devushka (beautiful)
2. What Kinda Madness
3. A Moment's Peace
4. Alone
5. A Moment's Peace Reprise

As it progresses we hear the introduction of jazz horns and throughout, the chirping of birds and folding waves accent the mood. Although this sounds like overkill, it all comes together nicely. The song is titled "Devushka", which means "beautiful" in Russian, and like the apt intro to this ep, "Devushka" is aptly titled. If you're not interested in hearing more after "Devushka", you're not looking for downtempo music.

"What Kinda Madness" revisits the slow, shuffled beats of the previous track, but, inspired by a thought of what an old Jamaican might think of modern music, includes a Jamaican-accented voice (Glideascope himself actually) speaking as though part of a conversation. Deep cello stabs, synth string pads, subtle beatbox percussion, sampled African chants, and floating harp round out the sound, which comes together surprisingly well.

No matter what you may think of "With Strings Attached", you have to give Glideascope props for the ability to seamlessly combine a gang of instruments and styles.

"A Moment's Peace" once again introduces slow moving strings over mellow, jazz shuffles, but as it progresses, the percussion falls away here and there, replaced and joined by distant horns and a minimal, rolling bass line. You definitely feel the cinematic horizon behind this one.

The fact that "A Moment's Peace" could be seamlessly mixed with either of the previous tracks, makes the whole ep start to sound either formulaic or purposely thematic. Either way, it doesn't diminish my enjoyment of listening.

"Alone" delivers the strongest beats on the ep, with a definite urban, triphop style, utilizing minimal female vocal samples, vinyl scratches, moody strings, and persistent beats with muted snares, piano and tambourine to keep it all moving forward.

It's hard to recommend any specific song, but "With Strings Attached" is certainly recommended listening, so you'll have to try them all ;)

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