"Cactus Behavior", released in 2000, is basically a greatest hits compilation of David Barnes' avant-garde/ambient/psychedelic instrumental compositions from the early 1990s. Many of the pieces have obvious Pink Floyd influence, as well as a bit of Fripp/Eno. But the instrumentation tends to take these pieces in a new, fresh direction. With layers of hammer dulcimers, African xylophones, Balinese (gamelan) metalaphones and other percussion combined with the melodic instruments like Rhodes pianos, slide guitars and trumpet. The resulting pieces have a unique sound - percussion-driven, psychedelic, mesmerizing. Many of these pieces were originally commissioned scores for modern dance companies and theater troupes in Philadelphia where Barnes lived and composed in the early 90s. Here is a rundown of what is included on the album:

Boy Dog Dinosaur 2 - part of a score composed for a children's puppet theater production. The music has a childlike quality, without quite being children's music. African xylophones w