Critical Mass by Venus De Milo

This is a dark, heavy sort of tune with a moderate tempo.

Junk Male, track (3), has a funky feel to it in a progressively modulating mode, as far as key signature.

Tracks (4) & (5) are Russian Spy (Parts I & II). "The idea here was somewhat influenced by my sister-in-law, who actually is from Russia(Riga, Latvia to be more accurate)". Part I is like an intro to Part II. This piece has a mysterious theme in the beginning & in Part II changes rather quickly to a piano cadenza with odd meter & breaks inasmuch as the overall structure of the piece.

Track (6) is called S.O.S.(Save Our Souls) & has some interesting meter & modal changes. "The main theme proves to be a strong phrase as it develops". The melody tends to stay with you even after the end of the piece.

Minds'Eye, track (7), is a short piece that has several re-occuring patterns. The end result is a hypnotic effect in an exotic, percussive medium".

South of France, is track (8). This song has vocals & is a beautiful ballad with lush Orchestral instrumentation including Harp, French Horn, Bells & a nice String section arragement. "At the risk of sounding pretentious, I have to say the melody & lyrics in this piece of music along with the overall production is something very special to me".

Track (9), called No Mans Land, has a fast driving beat with an Ostinato Bass pattern which is basically a standard blues progression, but with a little twist.

String Theory(Version 1.5) is track (10) & is yet another piece of music inspired by a book. In this case, A Brief History of Time, by the eminent physicist Steven Hawking. "There are two versions of this piece of music. The first version, titled String Theory #1, can be found on another Cd(now internationally released) I am featured on by John Miner's Art Rock Circus(ARC)called "Tell A Vision" on his TributaryMusic.com Label".

The double Cd, titled "Tell A Vision" is a conceptual work. "John wanted me to compose a piece for his album & also record some of my ideas on other songs on the album. I believe it is some of my best work to date. On his album, the piece was performed on Harpsicord. However, on my Cd, it was written for a full Rock Band(an Orchestral transcription is also being considered in the future)". For more information on the ARC project, go to the www.TributaryMusic.com Label.

Track (11), called The Crystal, "was based on a 12 tone scale(at least the opening phrase where the idea originated)". This piece moves along quite well with its Ostinato Bass patterns & modulations. The middle section changes into half time, where an improvised lead solo takes over in a more traditional jazz form & structure including a nice Brass line. "The close of the piece uses ascending forths rather effectively(in an arpeggio that repeats the phrase) as it resolves to an abrupt ending".

Finally, track (12), cleverly titled 2Bw/U (To Be with You), has vocals & is a song with a good beat. It also has some cool Synth parts.

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