Prog

THE BAD PLUS: Prog
Heads Up, 2007

Yep, it’s The Bad Plus all right, smashing their way through a mixture of mutated pop covers (1,3,7,8) and heavy-handed originals. As usual, they’re perched precariously between being wryly innovative and gimmicky or even tasteless. It’s bombastic as hell, and that can get annoying, but there’s no denying the band’s phenomenal chops. I prefer the tracks that keep their various excesses relatively in check.

Fo’s Picks: 1, 5, 6, 10 ... (7 & 9 if you want over-the-top)

1. 5:37 – plodding, blocky, but with the melody delicately deconstructed
2. 9:12 – kinetic groove alternates with thudding robotic stomp; it gets old
3. 6:05 – starts quiet, the eye of a storm; gradually spins off-axis & blows up
4. 5:20 – an unresolved melody is embroidered and repeated
5. 8:45 – sedate: relaxed piano wanders over steady midtempo rhythm
6. 5:39 – lively ditty w/good trio interplay; big, chunky drum solo in 2nd half
7. 5:10 – heroic stride, melodramatic, with a quick, scattery break
8. 4:46 – lumpy ballad, bursts forth in the middle
9. 9:12 – quiet, dragging ballad, bulks up to huge, crushing weight, collapses
10. 5:00 – fast, optimistic chugger, with fanfare-like breaks and mock applause

[ Fo ] 15-Jun-07