Never Stop

Bad Plus, The
E1 Music
Jazz | Sep 2010

Reviews

Fo
Reviewed 2010-10-30
THE BAD PLUS: Never Stop
E One, 2010

MODERN JAZZ – After a diversion into vocals on their previous CD, this bombastic but popular trio is back to their standard format of battering us into submission with blustery, overblown instrumentals. This is the first Bad Plus album without any cover songs, and has a wider palette than previous discs; but if you liked those, you’ll like this.

Ethan Iverson : piano
Reid Anderson : bass
Dave King : drums

Fo’s Picks: 2, 3, 6, 7

1. 5:44 – Rumbling turbulence with big stormy drums, suddenly turns upbeat
2. 3:39 – simple, almost monotone melody over a steady, thudding beat
3. 7:10 – marches forward, anthemic quality; feels like a cover of a rock song
4. 4:22 – clunky robot riffs alternate with high-flying and free-tumbling breaks
5. 9:14 – ponderous ballad: develops ideas slowly, builds up, crests, ebbs…
6. 3:59 – speedy melody broken up by slower, scattershot improvisation
7. 7:41 – slow, heavy atmosphere: calm piano, prominent bass, sparse drums
8. 4:41 – painted in huge messy strokes: over the top, but impressive interplay
9. 9:08 – relaxed pace: dissonant quasi-saloon piano, slouching rhythm
10. 2:26 – seems like there’s one upbeat march on every BP disc. Here ya go.

[ Fo ] 10/30/10

Recent airplay

The Radio Tower Has A Beating Heart
Road TripFeb 24, 2017
You Are
No Cover, No MinimumApr 26, 2013
Beryl Loves To Dance
RebopMay 17, 2011
Snowball
Brown In MotionDec 08, 2010
Never Stop
Nick&Noah: TheRadioShowNov 23, 2010

Charting

2010-10-31 — 2011-01-02 Jazz
Week EndingAirplays
Dec 12 1
Nov 28 1
Nov 14 1
Nov 7 1

Track listing

1. The Radio Tower Has A Beating Heart
2. Never Stop
3. You Are
4. My Friend Metatron
5. People Like You
6. Beryl Loves To Dance
7. Snowball
8. 2 P.M.
9. Billhickman At Home
10. Super America