THE BAD PLUS –
Inevitable Western
Masterworks 302406
Ethan Iverson (Piano); Reid Anderson (Bass); David King (Drums)
Recorded at The Terrarium, Minneapolis, MN; January, 2014
“Inevitable Western” is the tenth studio offering from the Minneapolis-based trio, The Bad Plus. On the surface, one would look at this album and dismiss it as another Jazz Piano trio album. It is anything but. The Bad Plus function as a group of three leaders, where each one has a voice in the direction of the music. It is interesting to hear a group with no sidemen!
“Inevitable Western” is entirely made up of originals. The music is similar to their previously recorded works, in that they play music with many different feels. They are a difficult group to pigeonhole, as they embrace elements of Pop, Classical and the best of the traditional Jazz trio recordings. You hear a great many influences in this group. It is obvious that they have listened to and played a lot of different music, and over their nearly fifteen year history, they sound like they are all playing this music, using one brain. A very tight ensemble, yet the music, even at its most chaotic, comes across as very relaxed.
Throughout the entire album, the band takes you on a wild ride, weaving seamlessly through various time signatures, delving into atonal passages that create a great deal of tension before resolution. The overall feeling, listening track to track, is of complete surprise.
As stated before, this group is one that is very difficult to categorize. To dismiss them as Avant Garde, Pop, Classical, etc., would be an immense disservice to the group, as they are sort of all of them, yet none of them, all at once.
“Inevitable Western” is an album that must be listened to. You can’t just casually listen to this album. You have to sit down, perhaps enjoy a frosty libation, and just let the music consume you. This is one of those albums where I come away with not caring what category it is or isn’t. It is an adventure, much like a rollercoaster, where you want to experience it again and again.
Reviewed by Brent Vaughan
Masterworks 302406
Ethan Iverson (Piano); Reid Anderson (Bass); David King (Drums)
Recorded at The Terrarium, Minneapolis, MN; January, 2014
“Inevitable Western” is the tenth studio offering from the Minneapolis-based trio, The Bad Plus. On the surface, one would look at this album and dismiss it as another Jazz Piano trio album. It is anything but. The Bad Plus function as a group of three leaders, where each one has a voice in the direction of the music. It is interesting to hear a group with no sidemen!
“Inevitable Western” is entirely made up of originals. The music is similar to their previously recorded works, in that they play music with many different feels. They are a difficult group to pigeonhole, as they embrace elements of Pop, Classical and the best of the traditional Jazz trio recordings. You hear a great many influences in this group. It is obvious that they have listened to and played a lot of different music, and over their nearly fifteen year history, they sound like they are all playing this music, using one brain. A very tight ensemble, yet the music, even at its most chaotic, comes across as very relaxed.
Throughout the entire album, the band takes you on a wild ride, weaving seamlessly through various time signatures, delving into atonal passages that create a great deal of tension before resolution. The overall feeling, listening track to track, is of complete surprise.
As stated before, this group is one that is very difficult to categorize. To dismiss them as Avant Garde, Pop, Classical, etc., would be an immense disservice to the group, as they are sort of all of them, yet none of them, all at once.
“Inevitable Western” is an album that must be listened to. You can’t just casually listen to this album. You have to sit down, perhaps enjoy a frosty libation, and just let the music consume you. This is one of those albums where I come away with not caring what category it is or isn’t. It is an adventure, much like a rollercoaster, where you want to experience it again and again.
Reviewed by Brent Vaughan
