BRENDEL, DORIS & DUNHAM, LEE
MASS HYSTERIA (SKY-ROCKET RECORDS)
'Mass Hysteria' marks Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham's 4th joint album venture, following the successes of 'Eclectica' and 'Upside Down World'.
The daughter of famed classical pianist Alfred Brendel, Doris' distinctive vocals were the driving force behind 1990s alt-rockers The Violet Hour, who were signed to Sony when they released their now revered, classic album 'The Fire Sermon' in 1991.
Having become a firm fixture in the Rock and Prog scene, Brendel fans know to expect the unexpected and she is typically hard to pigeon-hole.
'Mass Hysteria' is once again a tapestry of pop, rock, prog and acoustic and World styles and features Brendel's signature Irish whistle.
Each song marks a piece of a puzzle which combines to build a vast soundscape. For the first time the duo have used the same set of musicians for the entire album.
Sam White on drums, Jacob Stoney on keyboards and Ewan McIntosh on bass, who have featured as the Doris Brendel band on several tours.
Dunham (ex-Primary Slave) also decided to give the album to John Mitchell (Lonely Robot, It Bites) for mixing and mastering.
This has resulted in a far more cohesive album which may surprise some of their existing fans.
Mitchell, himself a big name on the Prog scene, has delivered a new scope and immensity of sound, thus adding the final piece of the jigsaw..
Doris Brendel is one of the most accomplished and exciting live singers on the scene. Apart from first-class musicianship, expect outlandish steam-punk costumes and even laser gloves.
The CD features 3 additional tracks to the vinyl, as well as showing off the stunning artwork, with the cover designed by surrealist Igor Morski.