Sure, the manner in which Venetian Snares fuses samples culled from classical pieces with frantic, oddly timed drum breaks is a breathtaking feat in itself, but “Rossz csillag alatt született’s” true power lies in its ability to whisk me away to a time and place in which this album was merely an idea inside its creator’s head. The album’s concept was inspired by a trip to Budapest, during which Venetian Snares (aka Aaron Funk) envisioned life through the eyes of a pigeon. Sure enough, while listening to “Rossz csillag alatt született” I could the feel cold winter air in my lungs, see the distinct architecture of the city surrounding me and hear the chatter of people migrating from one place to another. These almost tangible qualities add a new dimension to an already immaculate piece of music where swooping strings and well placed brass are underpinned by nuanced beats that drill themselves into your head.

“Hajnal” is a cinematic track that begins with interwoven string samples that eventually give way to brass embellishments that verge on jazz. The track eventually returns to its original form and slowly builds to an explosive crescendo with the addition of Venetian Snares’ rapid fire drum patterns. Ascending violins and pizzicato strings seem to playfully interact with one another during the opening of “Szerencsétlen” until the drums create an entirely different monster that brings out a sinister vibe in the punctuating bow strokes. Interestingly, “Öngyilkos Vasárnap” contains an eerie sample of Billy Holidae covering a Hungarian composition that has been banned for supposedly causing multiple suicides; Venetian Snares supports the sample with a wobbling synth and the album’s steadiest drum programming, creating an atmosphere that is strangely soothing yet haunting at the same time. Other standouts include the mallet percussion of “Hiszékeny”, the ominous ”Felbomlasztott Mentökocsi” and “Második Galamb”.

The juxtaposition of two very different musical styles could definitely open an entirely new world for listeners of either classical or electronic music. Although I was initially drawn to the album through its electronic aspects, I grew to love it because of its classical touches, which has now opened the door to the vast world of classical music. “Rossz csillag alatt született” is a remarkably inventive album that proves you can still push the boundaries of music while showing the world that the walls that separate most musical genres are not as thick as we sometimes think they are.

by Kyle