The John Zorn Shuffler

Mondo Bungle · 10-08-2019, 10:14 PM

John Zorn - The Garden of Earthly Delights, 2017

Lineup:

Trevor Dunn: Bass
John Medeski: Keyboards
Kenny Grohowski: Drums
Matt Hollenberg: Guitar
Sara Serpa: Voice

I think it's amazing how extensively you can subdivide the catalog of John Zorn. This album would fall in line with his modern brutal prog, but even then branches off a bit more than Salem, 1692 and similar works. While that was simply destruction on all fronts, The Garden of Earthly Delights sets out to be a chunkier and more textural endeavor with a heavy psychedelic rock component. The loud bits are often more rhythm based, and there's many more deluges into more subdued and jazzy passages, sometimes taking some exotic easy listening cues from the Music for Lovers series, among other things.

It's no surprise then that the organs are the lifeblood of this album, squeezing downright absurd timbres like it was being interrogated via torture. The guitars focus more intently on texture, unlike Salem, 1692 where they treat their fret boards like target practice for automatic weaponry. More eclectic influences are apparent too, from modern classical to funk.

I don't think I'd call it a standout album. It's simply less memorable in the grand scheme of things, but it's just as well, and in fact has some of the most insane musical explosions I've ever heard.

Mondo Bungle · 10-30-2019, 05:18 PM

John Zorn - Insurrection, 2018

Lineup:

Trevor Dunn: Bass
Kenny Grohowski: Drums
Matt Hollenberg: Guitar
Julian Lage: Guitar

Modern John Zorn work tends to be very controlled and consistently distinct no matter who he gathers to perform it.

I think this album is the best I've heard yet for guitar. It's like a drug that you never want to come down from. Whole universes of texture and precision. There's even some mathcore influence on display.

Really amazing so I just wanted to get that out. Not really feeling like writing a review.

Quote:

“Insurrection” is an intense new instrumental project featuring guitar wizards Julian Lage and Matt Hollenberg with the incredible rhythm section of Trevor Dunn and Kenny Grohowski. Inspired by some of the greatest experimental novels of the 20th century the music is incredibly varied, combining rock, funk, blues, jazz, classical and more—often in the same song! Gnarly atonal melodies, bizarre harmonies, astonishing guitar fireworks and telepathic group interaction make this one of Zorn’s most scintillating and adventurous new projects. Everyone is playing at their best here, and you have never heard such sounds! As always Zorn pulls the very best out of the musicians and they play some of the most outrageous solos you have ever heard. Essential!