The Cruciforms combine the dense harmony and dark, comic finesse of Brahms, Ravel, Satie, and Bartok with the urgency and bombast of the punk and metal bands we grew up with, in addition to many other influences acquired along the way. Our objective is to create a unique balance of catharsis and craftsmanship.
From Flavorpill.com:
"Whenever a band combines rock with classical elements, it recalls Robert Christgau's slide on Pete Townshend: "He didn't want to drag opera down to rock's level, he wanted to raise rock to opera's." In the wrong hands, grand ambition becomes synonymous with highbrow pretension; Cruciforms are an ambitious bunch, but they dodge that bullet, bridging the art-rock divide better than most in Chicago. Their songs' studied harmonic complexity feels right at home with the basic structure and bombastic release of rock music. It's a fine line, but one that Cruciforms walk well." – Stephen Gossett
From the Chicago Reader:
"Don’t let the stated ambitions of this local instrumental quartet put you off—the results are really very appealing. The Cruciforms’ satisfying grasp of pacing and dynamics makes me think of early Dirty Three, with the violin replaced by piano, which together with the guitar leads the rhythm section down various cinematic paths. The overall feel is cold, wet, and sinister—it’s perfect music for the ice-storm season we’re having." - Monica Kendrick
From TimeOut:
"Chicago's the Cruciforms have an ambient, surreal air about them, with compositions that are strange and supple all at once."
