Half Notes: Neil Haverstick – Stick Man: Electric Music for 19 and 34 Tone Guitars (2009)

by Mark Saleski

To the neophyte, microtonal music can seem less than accessible. Yeah, tones show up that the western ear just isn’t used to. On Stick Man, Haverstick takes microtonality and uses it in many contexts, not just ‘jazz.’ This is important because I’ve heard albums that focus so much on the ‘theory’ that the result seems a little dry and pedantic. Well, give compositions like “34 Fjord” a listen. The elongated tones floating in from all directions mask the surprise to follow — a full-on rock guitar freakout.

‘Half Notes’ are quick-take thoughts on music from Something Else! Reviews, presented whenever the mood strikes us.

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Mark Saleski

One Comment

  1. Catrina Daimon Lee says:

    Good to see this;Neil is a pioneer of microtonal guitar. I am however not sure about your reference to microtonal music belong primarily to ‘jazz’ music. It is more widely regarded as a focal point in some postmodern classical circles who are more into math than anything else, not to mention the microtonal dance music scene.

    Listening,
    Catrina