No Words Necessary: Instrumentals

American Idol is a singing competition.  Unfortunately, we're only five weeks into the show and I'm already sick of the singing. 

Why do we need words anyway?  Without lyrics clogging things up, instrumentals are limitless in scope, and if every contestant on American Idol were required to master an instrument, the quality of music would increase fourfold.    

Basic vocals need little effort: my six-year-old cousin can carry a tune without a single lesson and without reading a line of sheet music.  Instruments, on the other hand, require years of training just to master the basics.  Instrumentalists must learn to read the language of music, where as singers can fudge their way through a chorus without reading a note.

So here is a giant kudos to instrumentalists, who consistently kick vocalists to the curb with the merest flick of their bow or pick.

"Nothing Else Matters" by Apocalyptica

Finnish metal band Apocalyptica's long-haired, leather-clad members may look like they belong in a backwoods biker bar, but they are all classically trained cellists from the Sibelius Academy of Helsinki.  In recent years, the band has added drums, vocalists and other rock standards to their line-up, but at the time of their 1998 album, Inquisition Symphony, the only instruments in use were cellos.  This Metallica cover perfectly captures the fine line Apocalyptica walks between hard core thrash metal and sweeping classical ballads.

"Tamacun" by Rodrigo y Gabriela

At Lollapalooza 2007, Rodrigo and Gabriela had the unfortunate luck of playing the morning after Muse and Interpol took the stage.  So while the rest of the Lollapaloozers were at home snoozing off a late night buzz, this acoustic duo was on the asphalt in the 90 degree heat.  Eggs would have fried under foot.  Nevertheless, the pair played one of that year's most memorable sets (for anyone awake to see it).

Rodrigo Sánchez (lead guitar) and Gabriela Quintero (rhythm guitar), originally from Mexico, sought to broaden their musical horizons when they emigrated to Dublin, Ireland.  With fingers quick as rapid fire, they pluck out songs on their handmade Frank Tate guitars so fast it boggles the mind.  

"Acid Rain" by Liquid Tension Experiment

What do you get when four technically brilliant instrumentalists join together?  An eye-popping, jaw-dropping jam session that rocks the earth on its axis.

John Petrucci (guitar) and Mike Portnoy (drums) of Dream Theater joined forces with Jordan Rudess (keyboard) and Tony Levin (bass) to create this ultimate progressive rock supergroup in 1997.  The side project was an unrestrained experiment in musical improvisation.  That's right... their songs are improvised.  On their sophomore album, Liquid Tension Experiment 2, the group's 5+ minute tracks are flawlessly executed and joyously unpredictable.  This is explosive music, the kind of edge-of-your-seat rock one would expect from the veterans of Dream Theater.

"The Heart Asks Pleasure First" by Michael Nyman

The Piano is a strange arthouse film with a disturbing story.  Understandably, it's not everyone's cinematic cup of tea, but how this brilliant musical score lost the 1993 Golden Globe and Oscar is unfathomable.

Michael Nyman, an English composer, pianist and librettist, belongs in the pantheon alongside Ennio Morricone for his film score work.  He has  gone on to compose equally evocative soundtracks for films like Gattaca and Man on Wire.  "The Heart Asks Pleasure First," The Piano's pride and joy, is a piece of score that steals the movie.  This is not just film music; it is music that sweeps the listener off their feet. 

If you  have a submission for the Suggestion Box, would like to talk music, or feel a need to complain about the likeness of the caricatured Idols adorning the banner of this site, you may email Laura at CaricaturesByLaura at Yahoo.com. 

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