VIRUS
"Odd"
N-Soul/Velocity
Producer: Virus

Releasing a double album has always been considered something of a risk. No matter how good the artist may be, keeping a listener captivated for over an hour and a half is a daunting task, and one that few artists have successfully managed. Those who have succeeded (Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins, Elvis Costello, The Beatles) have done so in part by establishing a loyal following before indulging in said project. While "Odd", the double album release by Missouri's Virus is not destined for the same place in pop history as, say, "Daydream Nation" or "The White Album", it is nonetheless a thoroughly engrossing album. It exhibits the healthy development of a heretofore unknown act, and demonstrates the willingness of Christian labels to invest in bands daring enought o break new ground.

The first disc in the set may be a stretch for some. It is completely instrumental, and mostly ambient, with a few exceptions (the Moby-esque techno fest "Outside" being one of them). That Greg Yound and Stefan Nelson (the duo that make up Virus) can keep the music challenging and intriguing throughout is a testament to their creativity and vision. Rather than repeating drum loops and samples, Virus' instrumental music is built around the standard verse-chorus-verse structure that governs ordinary pop. This decision in format allows for more diversity within the songs, making each individual track distinctly recognizeable. Layers of high-end piano are sprinkled on top of bassy keyboard ("Homeless"), machinery chatter blends with oscillating pitches ("Slide"), beats enter and disappear to create a soothing, yet undeniably vibrant atmosphere.

While disc one sets an impressive stage, it is disc two that is worth the price of admission. Virus lets loose in full trip-hop glory, matching thr gorgeous and airy vocals of Steohanie Dorse with aggressive hip-hop beats and slow serene keyboard lines. "Angels" slinks along mysteriously, Dorsen's vocals layered and rich with echo effect, over body-shaking bass drum and keyboard. "Not Now" is almost Gothic, with descending arpeggios and mournful vocals mixed far into the background. Virus utilizes the low-end of the keyboard almost exclusively on the second disc, for a sound that makes you want to dance in one instant, cry in the next. Dorsen's voice aches with both sensuality and spirituality (it is only on "Sun" intoning lyrics like "I am a creature of the light" that she sounds exclusively angelic) cerating a tension that suits the compositions beautifully. Keeping in step with what is on the cutting edge of mainstream music (something Christian music has a hard time with), Virus gives competitors like Portishead a run for their money, while setting the precedent for future Christian records as well.

"Odd" is not only a splendid piece of work, but a glimpse at the future of pop music and a subtle sledgehammer to three-chord grunge and soulless techno. Virus has created an electronic double album with heart and, while it may not be "Frampton Come Alive", that's hardly a thing to complain about.

-j. edward keyes