In ancient Rome, opus mixtum was a building technique that involved mixing bricks and stones. Opus Mixtum is also the title of Antietam’s eighth album, but only its third in the last 14 years. With so much time between releases, the NYC-based, Kentucky-rooted trio had a lot to work with; this album was originally conceived as two separate releases, one a song-based rock record, the other a digitally enabled set of instrumentals. The decision to combine them into a 26-song, two-CD (or three-LP) magnum opus may not have been for the best. There are no problems with the rock tunes, which stomp, squeal and swoon. Josh Madell’s elemental drumming and Tim Harris’ graceful electric bass propel the songs, Tara Key’s Hummer-crushing power chords provide their muscle, and her succinct and twisting leads supply their melodic momentum. Standouts include “On The Humble” (which features simpatico sparring between Key and Eleventh Dream Day’s Rick Rizzo), the anthemic “Time Creeps” and punk slash-and-burner “RPM.” But there are too many instrumentals. They range from regal riff statements to spacey loops-and-beats confections; taken a couple at a time, they’re a swell change of pace. In aggregate, they break up the momentum you need to hang with 100 minutes of music. Either segregation or stricter rationing would’ve better served the great rock record inside Opus Mixtum. [www.carrottoprecords.com]
-Bill Meyer
