Album Review: Stephan Thelen — Fractal Guitar 3
The idea that classical music and popular forms of music can coexist isn’t a new one. The Moody Blues bridged the gap between the two with Days of Future Passed in 1967. Electric Light Orchestra explored that space on their albums, at least up until 1977. On the much artier side of things, Glenn Branca’s guitar orchestrations drew from both classical and prog/metal, but while supremely fascinating, they’re too challenging for the general listening public.
As I’ve noted before (in my reviews of Fractal Guitar 2, a remix album and a piece on Kronos Quartet), Stephan Thelen is a classical composer. But he’s also a fascinating practitioner of instrumental progressive rock. His latest release, Fractal Guitar 3, presents five compositions (plus a remix/edit of one), with Thelen playing electric guitars and keyboards throughout. He’s joined by some impressive players; touch guitarist Markus Reuter and multi-instrumentalist Barry Cleveland chief among them.
The music is demanding, to be sure. But it’s possessed of an accessible character that’s rooted in rhythm and melody, making it an enjoyable listening experience even for those not inclined toward prog. Shades of EDM find their way into the arrangements, but at its heart Fractal Guitar 3 doesn’t sound of a particular time, and will likely age better than any random EDM track might do. It’s intriguing, contemplative, atmospheric, rocking, frightening and sublime, heavy and light, sometimes all in one track. Recommended.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.