The self-titled debut of Memphis two-piece Breaking the Cage is a thrilling showcase of two guys with broiling with talents. Its a Merchant-Ivory film, a Dolce and Gabbana spring collection, a Jordan-Pippen offense.

First, the obvious; Kent Stratton (drums) and Tim Vaziri (guitar) are great musicians. In fact they ascend beyond great by each approaching their instrument in a unique way and offering us new ways to listen to hear these familiar tones. Strattons tight and intricate rhythms play gracefully beside Vaziris expressive and vast guitar. Its a clicking and chiming bramble of thuds and booms, a six-armed insect playing two drum kits simultaneously. Vaziris guitar rides on the back of this elegant bug, an orchestra in a single instrument. Think of the music on Jeff Buckleys Grace album, or Vinyl Killer by Drums and Tuba. With a few choice visits from other musical devices, like the cool and lonely cello monologue in the wintry Failing, and the heroic trumpet visit in The Cat that Went to War this album lives a rewarding life from its wide-eyed, confident beginning to the final tracks funeral dirge and decomposition.

But secondly, and at least as important; they are composers, craftsmen, artists. Though lacking any words except a child cheerfully announcing Thats it! at the final songs close, this album tells a story. Certain to be different for each listener, this story is epic. In this way its similar to Prokofievs Peter and the Wolf, minus the narrator. These characters, whoever they are, are up to high-stakes stuff. Hearts are broken, people die, eras end, high hopes lead to great triumphs. Its a piece of cinema that we, as the listener, get to fill with actors and plots. Breaking the Cage has supplied the drama and the literature. This album is highly intellectual pop music.

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