Short Reviews [Janel and Anthony - 2024 - "New Moon In The Evil Age"]

Janel Leppin (cello, modified cello, vocals, synthesizers, piano, koto, hammered dulcimer, bass) and Anthony Pirog (electric and acoustic guitar, guitar synth, synthesizers, bass, percussion) first encountered each other in high school, with the relationship deepening through their college years and into their careers as full-time professionals on the richly diverse D.C. scene. Although they are partners in life as well as music, they have not actually recorded many albums together, even though they often guest. Janel composes at the helm of her widely celebrated Ensemble Volcanic Ash, recorded a solo cello album "The Brink" in 2023 and has released singer-songwriter records as Mellow Diamond. As a collaborator and multi-instrumentalist, she has contributed to internationally known experimental and indie sounds, from the inquisitive new-music of Eyvind Kang and Oren Ambarchi to the haunting folksong of Marissa Nadler, to the dynamic psych-rock of Rose Windows and art-punk of PRIESTS. Meanwhile, Anthony Pirog is a member of Impulse! and the Messthetics, featuring the rhythm section of post-hardcore legends Fugazi, as well as an acclaimed jazz and avant-garde improviser Danny Gatton. More than a decade on from their last full album together, Janel and Anthony have returned with "New Moon in the Evil Age", a double CD which demonstrates their interests in different aspects of music with the first half being an instrumental selection of duets while the second is a nine-track vocal album bringing together rock, pop and alternative songcraft. They performed the vast majority of all the sound, being joined only by Devin Hoff (electric and acoustic bass) and Dr. Ali Analouei (daf, tonbak). The result is something which in many ways is both quite extraordinary and also seems in many ways as if it is releases from two different bands, or at least from two time periods and when I first played this I had to check to see if I had actually switched into another album as we have moved from music which is swirling and beautiful as they swap lines in a modern orchestral and lush manner. The brain is certainly not prepared for the modern pop and synth driven “Surf The Dead” which kicks off the second half. Janel has a beautiful voice, perfectly suited to this style of music which combines elements of Portishead, All About Eve and even Kate Bush. The issue for me is that I really enjoyed the first disc, while I can appreciate the second, yet it is not something I would ever listen to for pleasure as I have never enjoyed the synth-driven pop which came out of the Eighties. Conversely, I can imagine there are people who will enjoy the second disc far more than the first, which does make me wonder whether it would have been better to have released two albums instead of one. What is never in doubt, however, is that both discs are wonderful examples of masters of their craft, but prior to purchasing I would suggest you listen to it on Bandcamp to see if you enjoy both facets of what is a wonderfully engaging and interesting duo.