Short Reviews [Skullcap - 2025 - "Snakes of Albuquerque"]

I have written millions of words and many thousands of reviews in the last 30 plus years of writing, but I honestly believe this is the first time I have ever said "power cello trio". Janel Leppin (cello, Minimoog) and Anthony Pirog (electric guitar) surely need no introduction as the husband-and-wife team have been working together for many years, while they first became aware of Mike Kuhl (drums, percussion) when they met while being a part of Adam Hopkins' Out of Your Head Collective in 2010. The coming together towards the end of last year and recording this album has resulted in something which is special, indescribable and undoubtedly beautiful. There are some songs which are percussion led, with the others finding a place within the groove, while others have Anthony at the front and the others supporting, while Janel is able to coax sheer beauty out of her instrument, bringing in classical overtones while at others it is like a heavy rhythm guitar often, but not always, bowed. The music is RIO at times, or avant, or jazz, or something more, but never anything less. It is exciting, jagged and at odds with sharp corners, yet one never knows what is coming next. For some reason I found myself being reminded of Art Zoyd but they sound nothing like them at all, or do they? Or is it Can? I don't really know, all I can say is that this trio has released something quite remarkable which certainly defies my paltry efforts at trying to describe it and if you want music which has real worth and value then this needs to be discovered.