In June, 2002 Victory Music reviewed my first cd, "When The Drums Stop."

by Leah Hinchcliff - The Victory Review

BRENDAN WIRES: When The Drums Stop
06/2002

Here are seven pieces of music, beautifully crafted with stunning technicality and lush harmonies. Deep and sonorous bass notes create a full and gorgeous template over which rich harmonies wrap around soaring melodies.

Hard to imaging this is one man playing one instrument: the electric six string bass. Wires' playing is seamless and seemingly boundless and his virtuoso playing and deep sentiment run through all of the selections of which four of the seven are original. All of the pieces were played live with no overdubs, and they move through theme and variations with ease and intricacy.

The first piece is an interesting take on U2's "With or Without You," keeping the melody intact while filling out the original's power chords with blooming major 7ths and single note runs. My favorite cut, "She Danced," is a bouncy arpeggiated figure that runs through the whole piece with a simple but interesting melody in the middle voice.

I should mention that Wires' technique is unique. He plays the bass with both hands, tapping on the fretboard - similar to playing the piano. His technique and his impressionistic soundscapes bring to mind another virtuoso player who used the same technique on guitar, Michael Hedges.

This album is an intimate landscape of delightful impressionistic chords and flights of cascading runs. A beautiful addition to any music collection, this record is perfect for those late night ruminations, and for sitting back and being amazed at one person's talent.