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- Artist: Brian Dewan
- Rating:
- Release Date: March 27, 2001
- Type: Lyrics are included with the album
- Genre: Folk
Review
From the opening chords of Brian Dewan's second full-length release, The Operating Theater, it is apparent few other recordings have achieved this degree of accessibility while maintaining such a unique sonic focus. Dewan's compelling storytelling and intelligent melodic sense -- combined with his trusty sidekick, the electric zither -- make a seamless transition from his 1993 debut, Tells the Story. The Operating Theater borrows the dark wit and chiming zither from Tells the Story and balances it effortlessly with the heartbreaking, sometimes haunting tone color of an orchestra of mellotrons and organs, while still maintaining the minimalist qualities vital to Dewan's compositions. His reedy voice rings clear -- strong in his delivery, uncanny in his timing, and confident with his entire presentation. From the beautiful opening oddity "Where They Belong" to the destructive "Loathsome Idols," the macabre "Cadavers," and the innocent debriefing session of "First Day of School," The Operating Theater is "all killer, no filler." ~ Gregory McIntosh, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Where They Belong | Brian Dewan | Brian Dewan | (3:36) |
| The Human Heart | Brian Dewan, Stephen Flaherty | Brian Dewan | (5:04) |
| The Kids | Brian Dewan | Brian Dewan | (2:51) |
| Solomon Grundy | Traditional, Brian Dewan | Brian Dewan | (1:45) |
| Loathsome Idols | Brian Dewan | Brian Dewan | (5:52) |
| Rumpelstiltskin | Brian Dewan, Traditional | Brian Dewan | (5:43) |
| Cadavers | Brian Dewan | Brian Dewan | (3:37) |
| The Trial | Brian Dewan | Brian Dewan | (3:16) |
| Flexible Flyer | Grant Hart, Brian Dewan | Brian Dewan | (2:20) |
| Sick Day | Brian Dewan | Brian Dewan | (3:41) |
| Fruitless Labors | Brian Dewan | Brian Dewan | (4:14) |
| First Day of School | Brian Dewan | Brian Dewan | (2:22) |
