Listeners looking for the self-proclaimed "musical genius" of sophomore Peter Manto and senior Charley Patrick can satisfy the void in their life with the release of the first Roll the Dice album.
Roll the Dice, a.k.a Manto and Patrick, formed last semester and over the past few months have composed nearly 40 original tracks. Digitally recorded in Patrick's bedroom, the self-titled release, Roll the Dice, includes 19 tracks of what Manto dubs "gin and tonky rock 'n roll."
"We only do two genres," Manto said. "Rock and roll."
Pinpointing the influences on Roll the Dice proves a difficult task. The album rolls through simple electric guitar instrumentals and acoustic pieces, and often allows for Patrick's work on keyboard.
"It's uninfluenced, it's our own thing," Manto said. "It's every great rock band that ever lived, and I'm not talking about Metallica."
The recording process was especially eccentric for the pair. All tracks were recorded in one take, completely improvised. "Even the lyrics were improvised by Charley," said Manto. "I would put down a chord and we'd hit record."
As a two-man outfit producing low fidelity material without a drummer, some tracks come across as severely lacking a full sound. Consequently, Roll the Dice allows a view into avante garde and independent garage rock.
The production quality fosters skepticism in listeners, as one must wonder as to the seriousness of these two musicians. However, the songs provide quirky rhythms and showcase a daring independence that is essentially off-limits in mainstream, record-label music.
Tracks such as "Generation Me" and "Hipster Walkin' a Dog" showcase the howling, aggressive and caustic vocal stylings of Patrick, occasionally supported by Manto.
Ventures into synthesized, computer-generated sounds flop for Roll the Dice. Seemingly random and low-quality sounds do not carry tracks such as "Dive Right For," and "Gin and Tonky." At times ambient synthesized sounds do fill out tracks when Manto plays acoustic guitar.
Roll the Dice recently performed at an off-campus house with drumming support from senior John Dove. The performance offered a more raucous Manto and Patrick, and the drumming undoubtedly improved each song compared to the "studio" recording. Roll the Dice plans to re-record the album with Dove on drums.
Roll the Dice is not for all listeners. The duo does not have an identifiable niche in which they fit. An important draw for Roll the Dice is their tie to the Hillsdale campus. Students who know Manto and Patrick will be far more interested in their musical output than individuals outside of the campus.
Tracks including "Eileen" and "Gin and Tonky" contain vocals clearly connected to the Hillsdale area.
Those interested in the album can contact Manto or Patrick. The cost is $3, but one may be advised to wait for the re-released album complete with drums. Roll the Dice has taken their improvised tracks and honed them since recording, as was evident in performance. More tweaking of the tracks may prove fruitful, but the experiment in spontaneous composition is interesting.
One may need bravado in taking a chance with this album, as German exchange student Fedor Podranski voiced, "What if I roll the dice and lose?”