AMG Review of Flying Vegetables of the Apocalypse

Brian Olewnick
All Music Guide

Despite its unfortunate title, Flying Vegetables of the Apocalypse is an extremely enjoyable selection of music written for dance ensembles by Klucevsek and featuring a variety of instrumental groupings. The lengthy opening track, "Union Hall," is the highlight of the disc, a trio for accordion, reeds, and bass that incorporates themes and improvisations based on tunes from Yugoslavia and Madagascar. The latter, from the traditional song "Viavy Rose," is breathtakingly gorgeous and will haunt the listener forever. Klucevsek's Ain't Nothin' but a Polka band performs two rollicking avant-polkas, while the "Blue Danube Waltz" is rearranged for a accordion/alto saxophone duet on "Blue Window." Most of the remaining works feature accordion with some combination of stringed instruments. The jewel of the bunch is "Waltzing Above Ground," a fragile beauty in the upper registers that hints of tango and suspends itself glowingly in the air. Throughout, Klucevsek evinces his masterful musicality; he seems incapable of creating pieces lacking warmth, richness, and a deep, if sometimes subtle, melodicism. A beautiful album and one which could appeal to fans of almost any musical genre.