Accessible contemporary classical focusing on the human voice. Muhly is a young composer taking strong cues from Steve Reich, John Adams, but he also encorporates elements from the snooty, Bjorky, atmospheric electronica side of pop like found sounds from his kitchen...the strong fart of academia leaves its stench. That said, a shimmery, twinkly timbre inhabits most of the pieces; there are some kind, ethereal moments here. In addition, there are a few very special moments where Muhly's arrangements, and harmonic movements are really great and well worth the listen. He has a special way of letting strong, pleasant harmonies emerge unexpectedly from dissonant moments. FCC clean. Picks - 4,6,3,5

Tracks 1-4
1-5:50) Vocal and string Steve Reich with crunchy synth bass. A gentle start.
2-4:18) Slow soothing vocal pitter patter with nice jazzy chord progressions on piano. Chimey towards end.
3-3:53) Field recordings out of which emerges a pleasant bubbling, chimey vocal Reich pattern. The synth bass enters 3/4 through to increase strength. Ends with a dark tinge bleeding into 4.
4-4:44) More electronic. Very dramatic. Heavily produced to good, otherworldly effect. Lots of wavering synths, strings, and a strange voice reading off numbers. Last 15 sec. silence.

Tracks 5-7
5-5:56)These tracks form a strange story/song sung over harpsichord, fervory trombone. Difficult harmonies. 5 & 6 end in great fashion where the parts coelesce into a gorgeous english style chorale. The end of 6 is especially fun to segue out of....Soy Ricardo humbly suggests Eartha Kitt "Bridges of Paris".
6-5:33)
7-3:19)

Tracks 8-10
Manipulated easy listening NPR folk.
8-4:30) Similar, more modest electronic feel as in 4. Banjo and folk singer. Voice manipulations.
9-6:24) Same vocal sample much slower. More of a holler sound.
10-4:47) Same vocal line, but gentle, soft bedroom picking. Earnest. Quiet chimes, synths and breathing sounds.