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A year ago someone handed me The Bad Plus' new release These Are the Vistas with an adjoining recommendation. A minute or two into the first track, my jaw was slack and my synapses were aflame. It was the proverbial breath of fresh air, a redefinition of what the standard jazz piano trio could do. Within days I had my own copy; within a couple months I had seen the band live; by the end of the year I had been to five shows and Vistas was my Album of 2003. When I learned that their follow-up was due out and would feature many of the tunes I had already become enamored with at live shows, I was ready to pre-proclaim it my Album of 2004.
But, as they say, "that's why they play the games." I got an advance copy and excitedly listened and listened. The more I heard the more I realized that, while a good album, Give was not the greatness I anticipated. In some ways, it has a palpable "These Are the Vistas – the Sequel" kind of feel. You can almost match the tracks song-for-song like recurring plot devices in cookie-cutter sitcoms. At the same time, this is what the Bad Plus sounds like; there shouldn't be any surprise--the formula works. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that perhaps the greatest letdown was that I already knew this band--much of the initial thrill of Vistas was in the discovery and while I've enjoyed every listen of Give it hasn't flipped my stomach over like the first time. I think I'm settling in for a long, love 'em or leave 'em relationship with the Bad Plus.
On to specifics--the sound is terrific on this CD. I'm not one to shout out "production values!" when listening to a jazz album, but there is a very deliberate and satisfactory attempt to bring a different, rock 'n' roll sound to the traditionally staid art form of the piano trio. The piano isn't even the main focus: after the first three tracks, you find yourself wondering what sounds different and then you realize Reid Anderson's bass is so high in the mix it's making your kidneys rumble and even David King's drums seem to dominate more than Ethan Iverson on the ivories. The CD also features one of my new favorite songs ever, "And Here We Test Our Powers of Observation" which sums up everything I love about this band: tight composition with multiple overlaid themes, pop-music sensibility, irresistible hooks, cohesive playing. Like Vistas and the live shows, the covers will grab you and Give doesn't disappoint, showing off the ensembles range by hitting Ornette Coleman ("Street Woman"), The Pixies ("Velouria"), and even Sabbath ("Iron Man"). My favorite is their take on "Velouria"--a song I am otherwise unfamiliar with--which gets a majestic reading with some stunning piano-matics from Iverson. I recommend Give--it's good... but realize it's The Bad Plus' second-best album. Buy it, but not before These Are the Vistas.
Aaron Stein
JamBase | New Jersey
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