Artist: The Bad Plus
Album: Suspicious Activity?
Release Date: 9.29.05
Web: www.thebadplus.com
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
The Bad Plus have done some fantastic things since their major label debut titled "These Are the Vistas". They have helped introduce Jazz to countless Indie kids and rockers. The debut album featured 3 cover songs interspersed with brilliant original tracks. The covers were Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," Blondie's "Heart of Glass," and Aphex Twin's "Flim". An odd selection to be sure, but the familiarity of the melodies was just enough to pique interest in these serious players.
They continued the onslaught with last year's equally impressive "Give" and the live album "Blunt Object Live in Tokyo", which is my favorite release so far as it captured a live sound that simply blew me away. You get the feeling from the band's press material that they want to move away from being "that jazz band that does rock covers" and I must say, I side with them if my assumption is correct.
However, you must mention the covers when talking about this band. "Give" contained The Pixies' "Velouria", Ornette Coleman's "Street Woman" and Black Sabbath's "Iron Man". Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath has proclaimed the Bad +'s version of "Iron Man" the best Sabbath cover ever. I must say I agree completely. When the Bad Plus do a cover it's a lesson in deconstruction, rebuilding and rediscovery.
Their original stuff is so complex and in-the-zone it actually makes me dizzy.
At times it feels like it's out of control and just about to explode into complete chaos, but the band always brings the structure back at the exact right moment to let you know they are in control. You are only a passenger and when you learn to relax and trust this band they'll take you places you haven't been.
Every member of this trio is beyond a virtuoso on their given instrument, but what puts it into the stratosphere is how well they work off of each other.
Unfortunately, like all great Jazz this will be over the heads of many, especially those who come to the party because they "heard that jazz Nirvana cover on NPR".
The newest record "Suspicious Activity?" continues the aural festivities. Produced by Tchad Blake (Peter Gabriel, Los Lobos, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Phish), it was recorded "live" with "virtually no overdubs". The band reduces the number of covers to just one (Theme from Chariots Of Fire), which I suspect is a way to get people weaned off of the tit and onto the solid food. In this case the solid food is the songwriting and all three members contribute. The album leans a little Rock & Roll on some tracks mainly due to some straight-up rock rhythms, but this is still the Bad Plus we've come to love. It's a band reaching for artistic individuality and nothing is getting in their way. If you're a fan you'll be very happy with this release. If you're not a fan I recommend "Blunt Object Live In Tokyo" first. If that album does not hook you, please proceed to the nearest dark alley for an ass-whoopin'.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Nathaniel Winn
"Peak"ed your interest, did it? It certainly piqued mine.
2 - JOHNNY RENTIN
THE BAD PLUS ARE A GREAT GROUP I SAW YOUMAN WILDER IN VANCOUVER AT THE JAZZ FESTIVAL AND WILDER JUST PUT SOME GREAT SHOWS TOGETHER.I DONT THINK I HAVE SEEN A BETTER PERFORMER THAN YOUMAN WILDER. MUCH LOVE FOR THE BAD PLUS ALSO
3 - Robert
Thanks Nathaniel, I was "peakin'"
4 - Mark Sahm
Robert, does the 4th track "The Empire Strikes Backwards" have any Star Wars element to it, or was it just a clever title?
5 - Robert
Mark,
No, "The Empire Strikes Backwards" does not have witty musical references to the movie. The Bad Plus make no bones about their far-left leaning politics. This song is a stab at the US Government. It has an unbelievable meter that at times is countable and other times not.
6 - Mark Sahm
Thanks, Robert. I recall the Cheney Pinata! Great track. But then, 95% of them are.
Are you going to any of the Vanguard shows? I was pondering the idea, but don't know my schedule this week.
7 - Robrt
I wish! It would be impossible for me to make it to NY as my wife is due with our second child on the 19th.
8 - Michael J. West
Awesome review, Robert! I love the Bad Plus; I wasn't as big a fan of Give" despite my abiding love of all things Ornette. But you've got my appetite whetted for the new...
How do you think this one stands up specifically compared to the previous ones?
9 - Robert
Hey Mike, personally my favorite is "Blunt Object Live in Tokyo", after that "These Are The Vistas" is tied with this new release. There is a bit of a new direction here with some straight up rock undercurrents. At first I was not completely ga-ga about it, but it's been sinking it's teeth in further with each listen. All Bad Plus seems to get better with each spin as there is so much to hear though. If you're a fan you won't be dissapointed. I was dissapointed when I heard they were covering "Chariots of Fire", but my God! It rocks!
10 - Robert
The band has quoted this review on their website here
11 - Suzie
LOVED These Are the Vistas and Give. Can't wait for this one. Tuesday's going to be a good day. Remember on Give that one track "Do Your Sums/Die Like a Dog/... something-else-I-don't-remember.."? Favorite. Anything comparable Robert?
And if Chariots of Fire is in even the same league as Smells Like Teen Spirit, I'll go nuts.
12 - Tom Johnson
Damn, that really sucks about the copy protection. Write off yet another release I simply will not buy because I cannot support the label deciding how I should listen to the music I but. If the band quoted this review, I hope they come back and look at the comments and see this.
13 - Robert
Suzie,
You;re gonna love it. The Chariots of Fire Theme is my favorite B+ cover yet. And the rest of the album it still opening up to me even after 20 listens!
14 - Robert
Tom,
I agree with you about the Copy Protection. It' freakin' ridiculous.
1. It doesn't stop those who want to steal music.
2. It makes the pirated versions more appealing to thieves
3. It SUCKS for people who actually BUY the music and can;t play it how they want (for example I can't play it through my SONOS system)
4. It hurts the artist since many (like yourself) won't purchase these copy-protected discs
15 - cam
man this album is mind blowing. It's my favorite...even though "Give" is a classic. The first track, Prehensile Dream, shows what Reid Anderson and his composing powers are all about. It is like the "Dirty Blonde" of this album. And the cover of "Chariots of Fire" is by far my favorite. The bass line is just rediculous. This album is a must have...
16 - Pantagruel
It's great!! Thanks for the heads up!
17 - HARRY GIANTS
Youman Wilder was great when I saw him In Vancouver.He did the 3rd night at Rascals Jazz Club and my goodness what a bundle of energy.If anyone can let me know when he will be in Vancouver again i would love to hear from you.
18 - Melissa
I just saw the band in Boston (Bahhhstan) this past weekend and they were tremendous. Suspicious Activity is a great album, and indeed a great follow up from Give. The only bad thing is that the Live album is no longer available. it is not in print.
19 - Gahlord Dewald
My wife bought me this for my birthday. I'll be returning it due to the copy protection. Maybe I'll just catch the band live next time they come near.
Life's too short to have Sony tell me when and where and how I can listen to music.
And I do hold it against the band. If, on their blog, they can glibly talk about few CDs in their van because of their being 4 iPods ... well... It's either brain-dead stupidity or maliciousness. Neither of which I have time to support.
You can click through a link from Sony and if you give them all your information they'll email you info on how to import the disk... But I don't like having to give away personal information just to get to listen to an album that was paid for...
I'll be taking this CD back to the store, and buying the version that's in iTunes. Who needs plastic disks anyway.
20 - gahlord Dewald
Oh, and the live album is still available, it's in iTunes. ;)
g