Instant Everything! (Egg Helmet Records (888295123945, 2014)
Austin has become a hotbed for eclectic bands that perform all sorts of music beyond blues and rock. Stop Motion Orchestra plays chamber progressive rock. Their influences include Frank Zappa, avant-garde improvisation, Rock in Opposition (RIO), incursions into symphonic rock and Zeuhl. Unlike other groups who thrive in weirdness, the unexpected musical twists and turns of Stop Motion Orchestra are surprisingly accessible.
The band on their latest recording Instant Everything! consists of five virtuoso instrumentalists who take you on a series of surprising musical adventures: Alden Doyle on violin, sampled violin; Louk Cox on soprano and tenor saxophones; Joshua Carruth on drums, percussion; Henna Chou on synth bass; and Mohadev on guitars, bass, banjo, keys, computer, objects.
Guest musicians include TJ Wade on keyboards; David Beck on bongos; Benjamin DeGain on vibraphone; Julien Peterson on bass; Kimara Sajn on piano and tapes; and Eric McFarlin on bass.
Instant Everything! Is a superb album by an exciting new band on the quirkier side of progressive rock.