Alec K. Redfearn & The Seizures, Exterminating Angel (side A)

I've been a long-time fan of accordionist Alec K. Redfearn's primary group, The Eyesores.  That group stands out in part for its subtle, intricate arrangements.  With his smaller ensemble Alec K. Redfearn & the Seizures, Redfearn's songwriting still appropriates elements from both prog-rock (and the artier side of the Rock In Opposition crowd) and Eastern European folk music.  The Seizures music begins to head toward song structures — the intricate arrangements have been removed and the vocals reside more in the foreground as a result.  The songs are built more around the vocal melodies, and the instrumental sections feel more like rock solos.  At times the Seizures also employ a heaviness that's generally missing from the Eyesores.  Redfearn has purposely abandoned some of his greatest strengths as a composer — it feels like he's exploring new ideas and having fun doing so.  On some songs he even drops his trademark accordion to play ukulele instead.  2009's Exterminating Angel is an interesting aside for an incredibly talented musician, and it's still an impressive showing of his talents (and those of the rhythm section backing him, too).  Sonically, it's a bit raw and plain sounding, which neither captures all of the magical details of the playing nor gets in the way of the band's talent.  The mastering job brings the high frequencies of the metal percussion a bit too far to the foreground.  The intricate and foreboding cover image would fit more with a contemporary free noise album than the more structured rock songs contained here.