Fried Your Mind

Our roommate's morning routine generally includes turning on the TV for re-runs of "Saved By the Bell." We assure you, we have no problem with Zack Morris and his wily antics, but some mornings we could really do without "Saved By the Bell." They are the mornings when our heads ache, our cat has chewed through our headphone wires and our wallets are empty. They are Classical Vinyl Record Mornings. Sloppy Eggs And Toast Mornings.

This morning was one of Those Mornings and our holistic replacement for "Saved By the Bell" was Erik Friedlander's "Block Ice & Propane." Apparently this New York-based cellist drew from influences like  Faulkner, the "Anthology of American Folk Music," his father's photography, travel and poet John Berryman. It sounds cerebral, and it is, but it's dexterous serenity puts busy minds at ease.

Pieces of jazz, folk, country, ambient, modern and contemporary classical -- and good Lord, is that a jig?! -- erupt in pretty flurries and settle down into thoughtful conclusions. Friedlander experiments with tunings, he loops and tracks sound on top of sound and improvised five of the 13 compositions. Due Aug. 14 via Skipstone Records, this album is not to be missed or ignored -- it can revitalize even the crappiest morning.