Qwestion - "y"
(self-released 2002, CD)
Qwestion - "y"
(self-released 2002, CD)
From Aural Innovations #21 (October 2002)
Facts:
-Qwestion is apparently a three-piece "new metal" or "Tech-metal" band
-The band is self-releasing their debut work "y"
-Band members are Mike Griffith - Bass, John Hall - Guitar and TBD - Percussion.
-As stated in the liner notes, there is a special appearance by a person named Jimmy Rad - Turntables.
-8 tracks and 57:17 in length
-Date of Release: 2002
Critique:
As for the music by Qwestion, when first listening to the beginning track "Mask" you may become taken by the intro guitar work of John Hall especially since every other instrumental song on this CD has similar energy as the first. "The Mask," "Chaos Theory," "Forest of the Norm," and "3one2." The down point of this disc is, despite the intricate time changes and interplay between percussive, guitar and bass work, there is an apparent wearing effect that begins to grab hold throughout repeated listens. The music springs forth in a very assertive manner but flails by the third or fourth time it has been listened to. This should not occur if a body of music also contains a rather reasonable level of melody - this has reasonable song arrangement. Its true appeal lies in the continuity of the music; it rarely recycles itself musically. The down points that rear themselves are the seemingly excessive use of effects in each instrument as if the involved guitar, bass and drum playing cannot hold their own without the use of overstated effects. The extra "power" or effects attributed to the instruments somehow takes away from the overall delivery of the instrumental jams. The added use of turntables on this release seemed to detract from the creative process as well and added little if anything. The use of the turntables was out of place and awkward. It begins to seem that the production begins to take away from the dynamics of the diverse pitches and notes, a continuum of musical measures. "y" is unfortunately laced with an unnecessary superficial coating of electronics. The drums appear as drum machines or electric touch drums, which augment the sound further. This did not meld well with the guitar and bass work being performed.
If you are capable of not being distracted by the superficial additives to this release, over-electrified instruments, then you will at least be able to hear the continually changing measures of music. The strength of this debut is its continuity and solid playing but the effects were a detractor and were overdone.
For more information you can visit the Qwestion web site at: http://www.qwestion.net.
Contact via snail mail c/o Qwestion; 2014 Mills Avenue; N. Muskegon, MI 49445.
Reviewed by Rashad Salahuddin