Finally, a disease I can live with. It’s a neurological condition called
synesthesia. Annamaria Pinna, the
driving force behind New York City
alternative/progressive art rock group Vajra, has the malady. The affliction
attaches color and shapes to sound. It
makes her songwriting unique, visual and a synthesis of styles. You can hear the result in Vajra’s debut
album, Pleroma (which means in Greek “the totality of divine powers”), and it
is guaranteed to drive your own visual hallucinations
The album, true to its hype, “is an exploration in paradox
(east vs west, soft vs pummelling, female vs male) and includes Blake Fleming
(ex-The Mars Volta) on drums. Sylvia Massy (Tool, System of A Down, Prince,
Johnny Cash) co-produced the vocals and mixed. Tom Baker (NIN, Foo Fighters,
Ministry, Prince) mastered”. The music
comes off as “Dark, Alternative, Progressive Art Rock with Eastern Indian
Themes”. In fact, the band’s name,
Vajra, is a Sanskrit word and its dual meaning, ”thunderbolt” and “diamond,”
accurately describes the band’s work.
A long time friend of mine who is an accomplished musician
recently expressed her hope that progressive rock would make a comeback. From what I have heard Vajra is performing
before sell-out crowds. With more bands
like Vajra she may just get her wish.
- Old School
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