The Benevento/Russo Duo
Of all the benefits that come with age, none seems to be more satisfying than the wisdom gained from the realization that perhaps you didn't know everything about the world at 21. For instance, if someone came up to me 10 years ago and told me that a band currently opening for Phil Lesh & Friends and jamming with Trey Anastasio of Phish would release one of my favorite records of the Summer, I'm sure I'd immediately scoff, say something about how they couldn't be as great as Tortoise, sip my Old English and pretend that I didn't just get a huge, vaguely facist-looking tattoo. See we all grow up. And any fan of music benefits from listening to as much music as they can. Sure things will always zero more closely around that inner target, but it never hurts to give anything a quick listen. Truth be told, I actually found out about the Phil Lesh/Trey Anastaso thing after I already gave Play Pause Stop -- the new album from The Benevento/Russo Duo -- an initial listen. And I am still a bit in shock. Never would I have connected the dots. From the first opening chords on the opener "Play Pause Stop," I was immediately into the sound. Super saturated keys, taut drumming, and a superfluity of melody is what The Duo (as they seem to be affectionately known) are all about. It's both dense and minimal at the same time (perhaps the lack of vocals accounts for this) and immensely listenable. Perfect SK fodder. This record is melancholy. Like Codeine, like Mogwai, like The Album Leaf but communicated with a different set of tools, with a different sensibility and skillset. It's not patchouli but perhaps the remembrance of the scent as it wafts around a hazy memory of campus life. Sure, you were punk as fuck. But I'm guessing now you wished you had one more chance with that hippy beauty with the unforgettable smile. I think "Soba" perfectly epitomizes what the duo do so well, especially when things go all Mega Man around 3:38 into the track. On point and highly recommended. RIYL: The Album Leaf, Matters & Dunaway, Tristeza, Medeski Martin & Wood, Radiohead, From Monument to Masses, Tortoise Resources
The Benevento/Russo Duo :: "Soba"
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