String Planet consists of the duo of bass guitarist Larry Tuttle and violist Novi Novog. But any assumption that the music such a team could play would have to be severely limited is belied by their self-titled debut album. The first reason for this is that Tuttle doesn't just play bass, he plays the Chapman Stick, a hybrid instrument with six guitar strings played by the left hand and six bass strings played by the right that is tapped rather than plucked or strummed. The instrument allows Tuttle much more musical range and texture than an ordinary bass would. The second reason that the music is not limited is Tuttle's skill as a composer capable of coming up with melodious tunes that are set in folk-jazz arrangements. And the third reason, simply, is that the duo employs extra instruments, including synthesizers and several guest musicians, notably Novog's cousin, singer
Lauren Wood, on the pop-oriented "Hold Me in Your Heart" and "All That I Want." Not all the songs are that catchy, but
String Planet's music is appealing new age that boasts excellent playing and enough unusual sounds to maintain interest. ~ William Ruhlmann