Blktop Project/Concrete Jungle

Post-rock/jazz. Funky, restrained album, dominated by guitars and drums. Kind of reminds of the stuff that comes off the Cuneiform label, but more sedate. Careful rhythms, careful counterpoint--not so many dramatic builds to a climax. I think it’s fair to call this lounge music, or jam session music. Individual songs tend to be pretty consistent all the way through. Don’t expect any dramatic shifts in tone.

The band’s genesis story is pretty funny and cool: “The musical experiment known as Blktop Project first came about when skateboard magazine Slap organized a tour in the summer of 2002 for Ray Barbee, Tommy Guerrero and Matt Rodriguez—three of the most accomplished skateboarders ever who also happen to love making music...The trio divided their time on the road between skating and recording improvised music sessions.”

Try 1, 4, 8.

1) “Strut and Swagger” (7:36): Simple rhythm on the bass guitar. Simple melody on top. Kind of tropical drums in the second half, and more growly. Repetitive, groovy.
2) “And the Stylus Followed” (4:49): Precise, catchy little riff.
3) “Folk and Fiction” (6:59): Smooth, understated jazzy riff. 6/8 time.
4) “Stick and Move” (5:56): Tight, groovy. A bit more punch. Progresses through a few nice phases.
5) “Shrine On” (6:12): Sparser, quieter.
6) “Year of the Drum” (3:33): Lots of drum work here, but I’m not a drummer, so can’t say what.
7) “In the Moment” (6:04): Nice pattern on the bass guitar.
8) “The Light to Get By” (4:48): Cool metallic sound at the beginning.
9) “Esto fortis!” (3:40): Tight guitar pattern to start.
10) “A New Line” (3:57): Nicely develops its theme.
11) “Fall and Rise” (4:27): More of an ambient tone, with just a light pattering of drums in the background.

-- Mr. Tumnus