hackedepicciotto is of course Alexander Hacke from Einsturzende Neubauten and Danielle de Picciotto (Space Cowboys, Love Parade, Crime & The City Solution) and 'The Silver Threshold' is the pair's fifth album, now on the Mute label in the U.S. I positively reviewed their previous album, 'The Current,' so why not give this new one a shot, eh?

'The Silver Threshold' consists of ten tracks and is said to be hackedepicciotto's most symphonic work yet. While "Overture" serves as a symphonic instrumental intro, it's the brief vocal chorale heading into the title track ("The Silver Threshold”) that really heralds the eclecticism of this album, and there are plenty of similar vocal passages in that song. Musically, this is one crazy number, spinning round like Dorothy's tornadoed house on its way to Oz. Then the big drums come in for "Meteor's Reign." It's a weird juxtaposition of heavy (percussion) and light (bellish melody) that sets up this strange dichotomy that just keeps building and building into an unstoppable juggernaut...that eventually has to stop.

I was wondering whether this was going to be an all-instrumental album, but then "Evermore" dispelled that notion in a lyrical song that has a simple, child-like melody. hackedepicciotto moves into more hair-raging terrain though with "Babel," a vocal retelling of the biblical language origin myth over trepidatious music. Then there is the heavily industrial instrumental "Trebbus," full of Middle Eastern overtones and undetones. (Or, it could be Slavic, I suppose.) "Journey East" is like one big psychedelic musical mandala with a very hypnotic quality, interwoven with chants and chance...with perfect percussive accompaniment. "Meeres Stille" which follows, is nothing like the previous track; mysterious and more than a little ominous, and maybe that’s what it's like, standing at the Silver Threshold.

The main thing you may notice about "Kirchhain" is the abrasive didgeridoo drone among the struck metallic percussion and violin/viola string drones. A bit Tibetan in its way. Danielle begins a little recitation on "The Watered Garden" - "Between the past and the future we now stand on the threshold; the cusp of what once was and what shall be in perfect symmetry..." following with something lifted out of the annals of early '70s progressive rock. WOW! Wasn't expecting that! My main complaint about 'The Silver Threshold' is that it seemed to be too damn short. That last track could have gone on for another five minutes and I'd be happy. Oh well, always leave 'em wanting more. I think I enjoyed 'The Silver Threshold' just as much as 'The Current' and this new album has some interesting videos of a couple songs as well. That this album is available on vinyl (as well as CD and download) should make some people very happy.