Thao And Justin Power Sessions, The

A cello-centric CD with flavors of several genres. This album features the 16 classically trained cellists of the Portland Cello Project with help from unsigned artist Justin Power and Thao Nguyen of Thao and the Get Down Stay Down. Complete with covers (Pantera’s ‘Mouth For War,’ for example) and original cuts alike, this is an album for avid cellophiles and PCP newbies alike.
1) somber, slightly discordant cello piece 2) *perky acoustic guitar + cello cover of Thao’s ‘Beat’ 3) dark, slow cello + heavy drums 4) instrumental cover of Pantera’s ‘Mouth For War’…angry cello + drums 5) *acoustic guitar, upbeat maracas, swelling background cello, cute lyrics and female vocals 6) slowish cello version of popular Spanish tango song 7) cutesy, upbeat; acoustic guitar with bouncy female vocals; cello in the background 8) *nice folksy strum pattern on acoustic guitar complemented by plucking on cello and untrained male vocals 9) Thao’s vocals drowned by lots o’ cello 10) * upbeat, acoustic guitar and cello + indie male vocals = sounds like an old timey jug band from Appalachia 11) incredibly ominous cello track 12) slow and sad acoustic guitar + cello + rock drums
Reviewed by Holly Fetter