Artist: cashMERE
Label: Self-released
Release: 2006
Rating: 3.7/5
Cash-Romantic Music Machine is a solo album from violinist (and occasional vocalist) Tylda Ciolkosz of Gargantua. This time around, Tylda went for a more acoustic, folk-leaning approach, which means the music is more accessible and full of “normal” melodies. She’s gathered a bunch of talented musicians around her (none of them from Gargantua) to help out with the project.
The album was recorded before Gargantua released their first record with Tylda on violin, and maybe that’s part of why it sounds so different – she hadn’t yet felt that kind of influence from her friends. But that’s actually for the best. I’d rather hear two albums that are total opposites than have her copying herself too much.
The differences from Tylda’s main band Gargantua are huge. With cashMERE, Tylda covers a much wider musical spectrum. While Gargantua are firmly rooted in the avant-garde, Tylda also brings in plenty of folk and pop here. The result is a mix of avant-garde and a kind of folk ballad. It might not sound like the best combination on paper, but trust me, it works pretty well, especially thanks to the unforgettable violin melodies, which get far more room to breathe on this album than on Kotegarda. That makes total sense, of course, since this is Tylda’s own project, where she can show off everything she’s got without band politics getting in the way.
The album’s biggest strength is, without a doubt, the gorgeous music Tylda Ciolkosz coaxes out of her violin. It more than makes up for various shortcomings in the vocals, which sound good at times and not quite right at others, as if Tylda were still finding her style. I’m convinced she’ll fix that down the line, since she’s got a bright future on that front too.
On top of all these musical projects, Tylda also builds and maintains the websites for her self-label, as well as for cashMERE and Gargantua. Her versatility shows in the music too, and on Cash-Romantic Music Machine, which is really worth a listen. There’s something on it for almost everyone.
Lineup
Tylda Ciolkosz – violin, vocals
Mariusz Wroblewski – bass guitar
Guests:
Wojtek Siatkiewicz – drums
Krzysiu Paletko – acoustic guitar
Pawel Hebda – electric guitar (4 & 11)
Dominik Burzym – electric guitar (6 & 9)
Slawomir Berny – percussion (3)
Krzysztof Pajak – piano (10)
Production
cashMERE
Tracklist
1. We’re In It Merely For The Cash 0:37
2. My Mellow 4:31
3. Gajamoja (z nieba ogień) 7:00
4. Horace The Wingless Wasp 3:29
5. Song For Narcissus 4:57
6. Jabbercrock 4:14
7. Drachenblut Letzte Glut 5:04
8. Mercury Rising 5:46
9. Song Of Penelope: I Feed 6:46
10. Cannibal Swing 3:22
11. Exactly A Joke 5:39
