Maskarada

Taraf goes classical with a crazy gypsy take on Bartok, Khachaturian, and more (plus some originals). This is fabulous stuff, wacky good (mostly) instrumentals with an overall sound like some freaky traveling carnival that makes you want to lock up your kids. The playing is superb. Tight arrangements too. At least 1 star for each track.

1. Upbeat and driving w/a manic haunted circus sound.
2. Fast and tripping folk dance that gets even faster. Dizzying.
3. Starts mid, gets fast. A Spanish-themed fire dance w/varying tempos.
4. A creepy waltz. This would play if Satan asked you to dance.
5. Midtempo w/an Asian sound, great strings.
6. A hint of Paris. Growly vocals, picks up. Nostalgic.
7. Starts slow, medley of folk dances of changing tempos. Kinda fun.
8. Instantly fast and furious. Impossibly fast. Nose bleed fast.
9. Insistent, upbeat strings that gather speed then slows down, pick up...
10. Slow with heartfelt female vocalist & an old-fashioned sound. Sad.
11. Mid/upbeat hora w/plinky strings and a tinny piano kind of sound.
12. A slow/mid dance w/lots of drama and passion.
13. Mid/up w/soaring male vocals/chorus & lots of emotion.
14. Slow intro, gets frantic. A twisty, dark, unsettled masquerade.