The Long Picnic was recorded in Madison and Chicago using acoustic piano and (sometimes layered) vocals to create a 10-song journey that is by simultaneously engaging, disturbing, and soothing.
"[Rearick] has sharper instrumental skills than most... she's not afraid to shut up and play an instrumental. The Man Who Stole Tomorrow is almost too lovely -- but her writing also displays a grim loopiness she'd do well to cultivate, and on Not Another Minute she sounds like the love child of Tori Amos and Robyn Hitchcock." -- The Chicago Reader
"...perfectly organic..., a mixture of folk, classical music and experimental pop that glides smoothly into the deepest waters we know -- the mysteries of death." -- Cleveland Free Times
Rearick's solo writing tends to incorporate more classical elements and leans toward a more melancholy feel. She uses dissonance and unusual harmonies to create new and interesting soundscapes which are complemented by her flexible and warm-sounding vocals and thoughtful, literate lyrics ("Elegy", "Wading", "The Man Who Stole Tomorrow"). Her solo work also includes a number of instrumental piano compositions ("Folk Tune", "Bagatelle", "Cosmic"). The Long Picnic includes two cover songs -- a beautiful rendition of "Morpha Too" by Alex Chilton (from Big Star's "Radio City") and "Boating" by Bela Bartok -- which exemplify the range of Rearick's musical influences.
[ Stephanie Rearick ] |