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Critiques from our Archives |
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Karsh Kale
Liberation
Karsh Kale
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 8
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KARSH KALE makes Far Eastern?drenched electronica with acoustic drumset, tablas, programmed drums, and his invention, the E-Tabla, essentially an internally miked set of tabla that can be endlessly effected and triggered. Liberation sounds like Massive Attack and a Bollywood chorus smacked senseless by riveting breakbeats, intricate drum programming, and sensuous, bubbling tabla rhythms. Kale?s music is at once dense and ethereal, and his integration of acoustic and electronic drumming sources is seamless and original. Patience is required to become fully engrossed in his muse, but the endlessly shifting combinations of varying source patterns are a lesson in possibility. |
Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack DeJohnette
Always Let Me Go
Jack DeJohnette
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 9
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Pianist Keith Jarrett, bassist Gary Peacock, and drummer JACK DEJOHNETTE have played together for twenty years now. While sometimes referred to as "The Standards Trio" due to their extensive exploration of the classic repertoire, their latest offering is nothing of the sort. Recorded live in Tokyo, this set sees the trio investigating free territory, with inspiring results. The music evolves seamlessly, alternately swinging, contemplative, and energetic. DeJohnette offers dancing ride patterns and explosive eruptions throughout. Wherever the music takes them, these players are equal partners. While this group has released many fine recordings, this is some of their most inspired playing in recent times. |
Killswitch Engage
The End Of The Heartache
Justin Foley
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 8
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It might be ?the end of the heartache,? but it?s clearly not the end of bestial (and curiously melodic) metal. Killswitch Engage attack in a diverse way on their third album, blending Slayer-meets-Pantera thrash, stylish Euro-metal (think In Flames), and Hatebreed-ish mosh-core. During many tunes, new vocalist Howard Jones (no, not the ?80s synth-pop guy) juggles a maniacal roar and a heartfelt croon with definite flair. Meanwhile, new drummer JUSTIN FOLEY anchors the sweat-inducing onslaught with a massive kick, stylish tom work, and rhythmic flexibility. Midway through, Killswitch switches gears with the acoustic ?Inhale??until Foley erupts with a whirlwind intro on ?Breathe Life.? Engaging stuff. |
King Crimson
Vroom Vroom
Bill Bruford, Pat Mastelotto (dr, perc)
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 9
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The mid-?90s King Crimson Double Trio was absolutely lethal. Mixing the metallic with the melodic, it was one of the most inventive dual-kit bands ever to weigh down a stage. Of the short-lived group?s many live releases, Vroom Vroom is the gem. Bruford and Mastelotto exploit their partnership masterfully here, sometimes for maximum power, sometimes to spin a dizzying wheel of rhythm. In either mode, they impart a valuable lesson in creating thoughtfully complementary textures. (disciplineglobalmobile) |
King Crimson
Happy With What You Have To Be Happy With
Pat Mastelotto
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 6
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This scattered EP, 34 minutes of sketches, alternate edits, and instrumental bits preceding Crimson's upcoming LP, The Power To Believe, qualifies as "for hardcore fans only." There are treats, however, like the acoustic "Eyes Wide Open" and live shredder "Larks? Tongues In Aspic (Part IV)." PAT MASTELOTTO continues to prove that though his gifts are subtler than some of his KC predecessors?, he can flip a beat around with the best of ?em. Pat plays some tasteful, understated percussion too. But still, it might be best to just save up for the full-length release. This one doesn?t quite hold together. |
King Crimson
The Power To Believe
Pat Mastelotto
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 7
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Robert Fripp and the gang return to explore their patented head-spinning metal, where interlocking guitar patterns meet flip-flopping backbeats to form the most strictly regimented chaos going. Of course, this being the ever-dynamic KC, there?s plenty of hushed elegance to contrast all that distortion. PAT MASTELOTTO continues to fuse acoustic and electronic percussion, as he grows more comfortable with his role in the band he grew up idolizing. Pat loves springing surprises like shifting accents within relatively simple beats. It?s a time-tested Crimson trick, but Pat does it with extra force. And his techno workout on the aptly titled "Dangerous Curves" is alone worth the price of admission. |
Klobas/Storrs
Pursue
Mike Klobas (dr, perc), Dave Storrs (dr, perc)
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 6
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What a tall order to fill: two guys jamming the length of a CD on drumsets and percussion. It's always pleasant to hear unfettered drums and cymbals ring out, their special harmonics and transients unclouded by some windmill guitarist. No question, it's a joyous thing the way Klobas and Storrs get around the kits. Nothing pretentious here, to be sure-no world music agenda-although the rhythms hail from points east and west. To be honest, though, with the absence of melodic instruments, it gets a little tedious midway through. It's not that these two drummers can't generate dynamic contrast or suggest melody; it's just that, well, they're no Jack DeJohnette. Still, Pursue is plenty inventive. Check out the cool brush and rim work on "Sweep And Shake" for proof. ( www.peak.org/~louierec ) |
Kotikoski/Kleutgens
Cave Men
Vinnie Colaiuta
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 8
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One begins to wonder if VINNIE COLAIUTA ever gets tired of being the fastest gun in the west, being constantly challenged to raise the bar higher than what he has already set many times over. Vinnie is given carte blanche to "take it out" on this electric instrumental fusion release, which also features LA sax great Steve Tavaglione. Most tracks are complex compositions with Vinnie never ceasing to amaze with his musical chops. This music could easily become redundant, but Vinnie?s creative spirit breathes life into every track. "Time Sensitive" is the fastest swing tune I?ve ever heard, but Vinnie comes out with guns blazing, puts it to rest, and rides off into the sunset awaiting the next challenger. (www.j2krecords.com). |
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