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Paedantic Basterd · 11-19-2011, 02:27 PM

Trellis - Green Wing: Original Television Soundtrack (2007)

In cognitive neuroscience, memory can be looked at like a rubik's cube of infinite faces. The theory of multiple-trace memory indicates that our brains have the potential to recall any experience, any face on the cube, if the right sequence of neurons (the individual squares) is prompted to fire at once. It is believed then, that we are prevented from remembering our entire lives not from a lack of space in our memory, but from a lack of neurological cues to retrieve it. Music is remarkable at arranging the squares on our mental rubik's cube to induce recollection, and thus, emotions associated with the moment.

Such is the reason that Trellis' (Johnathan Whitehead's moniker) soundtrack to Green Wing never fails to inspire a great mood. Green Wing the series was a short-lived, but ferociously followed amalgam of sketch comedy and drama situated in a hospital and featuring no medical plot. The politically incorrect, attention-depraved cast of absurd and realistic characters duck in and out of their duties and each others lives as a series of increasingly surreal and soap-operatic events unfold.

In the style of sketch comedy, Trellis' soundtrack never lingers on one concept too long, or tends to repeat itself. The songs play on the themes of lightheartedness and general confusion present in the lives and personalities of every character. The tempo matches the show's unique pacing. Curious instrumentation punctuates songs like Vibrobedhead and Moon Away with question marks and interrabangs. Quizzical guitars and sleuthy strings portray the spirit of unhinged characters. Even the poignant, thoughtful moments are captured and blended into general goofiness with ease, such as on Fibre Troll and Akoustica. From the first growl of the engine on the title sequence track Last Week, this soundtrack flawlessly defines the program it was written on behalf of, without succumbing to novelty.

The true brilliance of Trellis' work however, isn't in the unparalleled depiction of the program's world; it is a rare soundtrack that stands on its own as an album of cohesive instrumental work. It is typical of television soundtracks to be sparse musically, if not a lazy patchwork compilation of various artists. Green Wing clearly opens, and resolves, rather than meandering through shuffled scenes. It is instrumentally diverse and thoughtfully constructed, as few television OSTs even attempt. His upbeat work induces laughter, the downtempo, pleasant contentedness. It is an easy album to put on, detailed enough to stand on its own, worthy of attention, but simple enough to prevent distraction, be it from work, leisure, or plotline.

It's a shame Green Wing is Trellis' only complete release to date, as he stands neglected as an artist, when he can hold his own as a musician and producer. Green Wing is a fun and flippant gem in both comedy and music, hitting all of the right notes to leave a lasting impression.

11-19-2011, 02:27 PM	#95 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	Trellis - Green Wing: Original Television Soundtrack (2007) In cognitive neuroscience, memory can be looked at like a rubik's cube of infinite faces. The theory of multiple-trace memory indicates that our brains have the potential to recall any experience, any face on the cube, if the right sequence of neurons (the individual squares) is prompted to fire at once. It is believed then, that we are prevented from remembering our entire lives not from a lack of space in our memory, but from a lack of neurological cues to retrieve it. Music is remarkable at arranging the squares on our mental rubik's cube to induce recollection, and thus, emotions associated with the moment. Such is the reason that Trellis' (Johnathan Whitehead's moniker) soundtrack to Green Wing never fails to inspire a great mood. Green Wing the series was a short-lived, but ferociously followed amalgam of sketch comedy and drama situated in a hospital and featuring no medical plot. The politically incorrect, attention-depraved cast of absurd and realistic characters duck in and out of their duties and each others lives as a series of increasingly surreal and soap-operatic events unfold. In the style of sketch comedy, Trellis' soundtrack never lingers on one concept too long, or tends to repeat itself. The songs play on the themes of lightheartedness and general confusion present in the lives and personalities of every character. The tempo matches the show's unique pacing. Curious instrumentation punctuates songs like Vibrobedhead and Moon Away with question marks and interrabangs. Quizzical guitars and sleuthy strings portray the spirit of unhinged characters. Even the poignant, thoughtful moments are captured and blended into general goofiness with ease, such as on Fibre Troll and Akoustica. From the first growl of the engine on the title sequence track Last Week, this soundtrack flawlessly defines the program it was written on behalf of, without succumbing to novelty. The true brilliance of Trellis' work however, isn't in the unparalleled depiction of the program's world; it is a rare soundtrack that stands on its own as an album of cohesive instrumental work. It is typical of television soundtracks to be sparse musically, if not a lazy patchwork compilation of various artists. Green Wing clearly opens, and resolves, rather than meandering through shuffled scenes. It is instrumentally diverse and thoughtfully constructed, as few television OSTs even attempt. His upbeat work induces laughter, the downtempo, pleasant contentedness. It is an easy album to put on, detailed enough to stand on its own, worthy of attention, but simple enough to prevent distraction, be it from work, leisure, or plotline. It's a shame Green Wing is Trellis' only complete release to date, as he stands neglected as an artist, when he can hold his own as a musician and producer. Green Wing is a fun and flippant gem in both comedy and music, hitting all of the right notes to leave a lasting impression.