Thought Molecules

Collection Contents

#		Title	Length
1		Premonition	0:52	Play
2		An Eye for an Orange	3:40	Play
3		Closed Circuit	5:38	Play
4		Bit of It	0:43	Play
5		Science of No Science	2:58	Play
6		Fingers Aligned (Light)	2:11	Play
7		Programme Divine	4:24	Play
8		Fingers Aligned (Dark)	2:23	Play
9		Twinkle	5:11	Play
10		Round Unwound	1:22	Play
11		Beyond Experience	6:03	Play
12		Deep Engine	3:54	Play
13		Cradle	5:00	Play

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Description

Reviews

Progression Magazine

A trio from North Carolina, Programme D'Experience plays a variety of spacey instrumental rock in the Ozric Tentacles/Djam Karet mold, with a few nice surprises. Writing and most of the playing are handled by multi-instrumentalist Brad Bansner, assisted by a brass and reed instrumentalist, and a specialist in electronics.

The band contributes to the psychedelic style mainly through a unique blend of other styles. Reggae and dub in the mixture suggest Ozric Tentacles. But this band uses no synthesizer bubbles. And Bansner throws in many American motifs: Most outstanding in the vein is "Twinkle," with its '70s Tower of Power funk style. In contrast to this and other very busy pieces, "Fingers Aligned (Light)" comes across with almost Harold Budd-like sparseness.

Thought Molecules is an album of musical wit, of energetic ideas, of multiple influences, but mostly it is a studio animal. Bansner has edited, dubbed, and sampled together a fine set of compositions that could never be reproduced in performance. The album demonstrates that the digital studio has far more potential than the production of plunderphonic pop.

-David Layton


Unpublished

Modestly presented as a two-piece, Programme d'Experience is actually a one-man horse, Brad Bansner, with help from a talented horn-player, Parker Kenyon. This CD's a vehicle for Bansner's multi-instrumental and compositional prowesses, admirably showcasing them to impressive effect. First and foremost a guitarist, he also plays bass and keyboards (including syndrums) and is a thoughtful engineer, turning out highly polished atmospheres. Too much has already been made of Thought Molecules' supposed debt to "world" influences; in reality, the CD's a great true-fusion work syncretizing what one expects from such things. Those sources have been digested so well that what results is a percolating collision of jazz, rock, progressive, industrial, high-end funk, and a generous dose of what's usually, but not here, a pejorative: "new instrumental music". Bansner's work would've been exceedingly comfortable in Mike Varney's excellent Guitar On The Edge catalogue (featuring pro's in adventurous compositions too progressive for their mainstream releases) and comparisons to Brand X's older incarnations would not be at all inappropos; the arrangements alone warrant the compliment. Along with heavy chords, screaming leads, jazzy strumming, and shifting time signatures, you also get a nice dose of mellifluity (as in "Fingers Aligned (Light)"), a presence that leavens many dense cuts, contrasting layered polyphonies and contrapuntalisms. For comrades in arms, think Gary Hoey, Marc Bonilla, Mark Fitchett (Cult of the Wrong Note), and other very strong soloists. The only suggestions to be made would be in regard of: 1) hiring a live drummer to more expertly underscore the work, adding that last element of perfection, and 2) a more fulsome inclusion of Kenyon, who provides dynamic engaging topwork easily the liquid equal of touring professionals...and far better than much of what one hears elsewhere.

-Marc Tucker
(Past and present critic for Sound Choice, Camera Obscura, I/E, Expose, Progression, and E/I)


Frets, Axes and Riffs

Instrumental power trios making a huge comeback 20 years later; and why not? Rush was probably one of the biggest power trios of all time in my opinion and what they could pull off live was amazing. Now, this power trio is a return of another guitarist I had, Brad Bansner with his latest project which I can say is bizarre as any Vai, Martone or Zappa release you could get your hands on; just no boundaries in the songwriting with keyboards, horns, sax, flutes, lots of bass and so much soloing, I'm suprised this dude's fingers didn't fall the hell off. 13 tracks that range from Prog-Rock to New Wave to old school Rock like Manfred Mann, the Winters brothers to Supertramp and Yes minus the vocals of course. Alot of these tracks are "attention-getters" like "Closed Circuit", "Science Of No Science", "Programme Divine" (my personal fave), "Fingers Aligned (Dark)" (nice bass and a solo mixed with abstract notes, ideas and somewhat Techno-ish) and "Round Unwound" (not sure of the thought origin of this one but it's another clever song). The final track "Cradle" is a good closer unless you count the hidden track afterward the closer, either way, great stuff and even if they do use a drum amchine since I hate them damn things but there's enough other things going on during this CD, you tend to forget they're using one. Hard to interpret what they're doing since alot of the stuff on here is either unorthodox or just plain off-the-wall; it just shows the maturity level of ideas to form the overall songwriting and again, the unrelenting boundaries one can have at his/her disposal.


Circle Magazine

If it's tranquil music you seek, perhaps you should seek elsewhere. This CD, Programme D'Experience, recorded by Thought Molecules, is a collection of instrumentals that is energetic (even the slower melodies) and challenges the listener to keep up with the tempo and change of rhythms.

The mastermind behind Thought Molecules is Brad Bansner, having written and recorded all 14 cuts on the CD. He is assisted by Parker Kenyon on the flute, sax, trumpet and trombone, and by Joshua Weinfeld on the fretless bass. These three have combined talents to produce a unique sound.

Cut 5, appropriately named "Science of No Science" experimentally wanders its own course, saxophones and guitars chasing each other to a psychedelic rock beat. The listener will find himself/herself pulled into the fantasy-like musical imagery that the keyboards skillfully provide in Cut 6, "Fingers Aligned (Light)."

"Beyond Experience," Cut 11, promotes a light jazz flavor. The wails of a laid back sax, coupled with a mellow trumpet, bounce appealingly off the keyboards and guitars. Cut #7, "Programme Divine," is pure rock, with the guitars suggesting a more surrealistic background.

Thought Molecules has put a lot of thought and skill into this CD. Programme De'Experience is energetic, is experimental and is definitely unique. If your listening taste leans towards the unusual, then try this one. It's an enjoyable new release.


Prog4You.com

I honestly had no idea what to expect with this release. Metal with a horn section? Techno with fretless bass? Polka minus the accordion? Who wouldathunkit? Just kidding. The CD begins with a slight ska-like break, entering into a semi-grooving atonal thang with an interesting vibe. Think Primus or Frank Zappa meets a little Via or Buckethead (minus the overwhelming virtuosity), at Moby's house. All but a nice mix of harmonized guitar playing... And so it goes through the CD, some nice start/stop electronic vibes, a funk groove here and there, some interesting reggae/ska grooves, a nice jazzy guitar tone here and melody there, and it flows rather smoothly, almost effortlessly, and feels sharp, man. Damn smooth, too. Nice late night tones here... These guys touch upon a nice variety of dynamics, from the groove, some nasty vibes, a smooth flow here, and a nice nighttime jazz tune there... I'm finding this grows on me with each listen, and the genre-mixing is only part of the lure.

The song titles (some witty, some not so witty and not so pretty, some keen) are right up my, er... erratic and esoteric alley, and kinda form a peachy little sheen over the tuneage. Definitely NOT Metal per se, but that's not the point, right? Besides, I'm ALWAYS down with something with some tasty sax playing and fretless bass. Oh yeah, this music is ALL instrumental, and I wouldn't like it any other way, brothers and sisters. Pimpjammin' and brainslammin'. If your feelin' a little bit of groove in your mood, highly recommended.

Song Highlights: Closed Circuit, An Eye for an Orange, Programme Divine, Science of No Science, Cradle

Rating: 8 of 10, Reviewed by: Scott Mosher


Reviewer on Amazon.com

Programme D' Experience is an eclectic mix of instrumental songs brimming with musical ideas. This is primarily the singular effort of Brad Bansner who writes, produces and plays all the instruments. Guest musicians contribute for added depth and provide some interesting twists along the way. Fusion, rock and jazz styles blend well with the compositions which are playfully strung together for a solid statement.

The pace of the album is somewhat deliberate and yet mystifying and avoiding the obvious. The guitar arrangements are most pronounced and provide a potent accent to the uncluttered arrangements.

The "meatier" tracks fall somewhere near the middle of the CD where more of the creative twists and turns are evident and the instrumentation is its most varied. Programme does a more than adequate job of holding the listeners attention throughout the CD with fairly short tracks (the longest is the 6 minute "Beyond Experience) and some distinct melodies.

Do yourself a favor and EXPERIENCE this fresh and unique approach to music.