2CELLOS
2CELLOS
JULY 19, 2011
We are always looking for musicians who bring something new, filling the void that the decay of artistry in pop and rock music has left over the past two decades. 2Cellos is an explosion waiting to be heard followed close behind by live performances that will leave the viewer mesmerized. Croatia has born the amazing Luka Šulic' and Stjepan Hauser who will get inside your mind the minute they start to play. It does not matter if you see them or hear them first, as either way they will grab every ounce of your brain.
We first saw them perform on late night television leaving us weak, drained and speechless. There would be no possible way to change the channel even if we had control of our hands to reach for the remote. All we could think of after the performance is which store opened first that would stock their self-titled debut. There was no need to wait, as Amazon.com has it available for immediate download, thank you Amazon Cloud.
After completing the first run through of the CD, there is no doubt that a second spin is not far behind. If ever there were Rock Gods among the classical artists of today, these two are not only at the top but possibly sit alone. Their mood setting renditions of some of the most popular songs over the past couple decades is addictive. Alone with just their cellos, the task of interpreting not only the music but the vocal styling of each song is ingeniously conquered. Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart were the gods of music in their day, and music has come so far but ultimately, as the saying goes, what comes around goes around.
Šulic' and Hauser have taken us back with their cello playing style while pushing the music industry, demanding that everyone sit up and take notice. The aggression is adrenaline driven, and as quickly as the beats fly by the duo will quiet the ambiance when the music stops. The minute the listener thinks the song is over they up the atmosphere, bulldozing through the remainder of a song. Whether they are translating U2, Michael Jackson, Nine Inch Nails, Kings of Leon, Muse, Coldplay, Nirvana or Guns N'Roses, there is no doubt that these boys from Croatia have what it takes to bring classical music into Rock N Roll.
These guys have an incredible sense of the pop/rock genres, elucidating the sounds of centuries ago as they decode the music of today. Many artists of today who have the love of music from the past continually play and perform the music as if they were in the time of the writing of the original songs. Šulic' and Hauser have chosen to build on the past, drawing it into the future using the familiar songs that many can hum along to and even sing out the lyrics.
The cello playing heard on their debut release from iTunes does not stop with just the stroking of the bow. These boys play their cellos as if they are a drum kit, stand up bass, and even pick it like a lead guitarist. Their transitions between bowing and pizzicato are fluid and flawless. They need not have vocal interpretation of the lyrics because words are unnecessary. When they tap out the drum line near the end of "Welcome to the Jungle" on the back of the cello it feels as if Steven Adler from Guns N' Roses is inside the recording beating out salty versions of his original track. The subtle approach to each song allows it to dictate the direction of each note and gives each title its own breath. The two know when to play hard, making each note clear and precise, then hushing the sounds with calm regard for the original recording.
Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" is the decisive lead single that, in conjunction with the recording, sparks a rainbow of visual bombardment when the two perform the song live. Even Alien Ant Farm's version, which is one of the great pop conversions to the rock genre, may fall to second place. We here at RUSTYSCAGE.COM love our Aliens but 2Cellos has crossed so many boundaries while putting edgier power rushes in their interpretation. 2Cellos version of Jackson's "Human Nature" has such Irish overtones that crack the opening but drift into the background as the song moves along.
The free fall into depths with so much passion during their execution of "The Resistance" by Muse is goose bump material that soothes the soul. Do not be fooled, as they will twist the music with paroxysm that will burst against each other. This is followed by Trent Reznor's "Hurt" that needs hushful quiet as they strum the cello like they were laying down rhythm guitar tracks. Ending on a U2 note from their fifth release The Joshua Tree's "With or Without You", 2Cellos has a marvelous ear for what the song is really about and foregoing the usual contrast insight, making their version poignant right down to the second. Only 4 seconds shy of U2's version, they stroked into the core of what makes this the best song on the debut release. The only thing could have made it a perfect match is if Bono would put his vocal stamp on the recording. Even without that, it is the best and thankfully saved for last.
Now, if you downloaded it from iTunes, they offer a bonus track. Sting's "Field of Gold" is a sizzling moody song that this duo sinks deep into, basing their version on the modest sounds. Relaxation is the energy that fulfills the 2 minutes and 54 seconds of this extra reward track. This is the top of the line release of 2011, followed closely by FOO FIGHTER's Wasting Light and SIXX A.M.'s This is Gonna Hurt.
RUSTY
7/19/11