Rasputina

“Cage in a Cave” by Rasputina, from Oh Perilous World (Filthy Bonnet):

Who’d have thought that cellos could sound raw and powerful enough to make dirty rock and roll? That’s precisely what Rasputina leader and Kansas City native Melora Creager has accomplished in a setup — two cellos, drums and loads of costumes — that could easily have retreated into gimmickry. Even on this side of an established chamber-rock movement, Rasputina still stands out and stands tall. Creager’s macabre obsessions and sense of humor give the music an irresistibly creepy allure. And when the band gets going, it can be nimble as a caterpillar or big-bottomed as a bronto, rocking hard either way.