Suspicious Activity?

by The Bad Plus

Overview

Postmodern jazz trio the Bad Plus has caused a fair amount of debate in the jazz world with their mixture of post-bop vocabulary, rock-influenced feel, and D.I.Y. attitude. SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY?--the band's third album--is unlikely to settle any of those debates. With their funky, deconstructionist cover of Vangelis's "(Theme from) Chariots of Fire" and their shape-shifting originals, the Bad Plus are full of surprises. The band excels equally at driving compositions ("Anthem for the Earnest") that draw on the punchy, bass-fueled energy of rock, and off-kilter lyricism like the jittery, poetic "Knows the Difference." Drummer David King plays like a cross between Elvin Jones and John Bonham, while pianist Ethan Iverson sweeps all over the keyboard with classical flourishes and punk aggression. Whether or not the Bad Plus fit your idea of jazz, SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY? is an intriguing listen.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/20/2005
Label:	Columbia
UPC:	0828767773025
Rank:	88556

Tracks

1. Prehensile Dream
2. Anthem for the Earnest
3. Let Our Garden Grow
4. The Empire Strikes Backwards
5. Knows the Difference
6. Lost of Love
7. Rhinoceros Is My Profession
8. O.G. (Original Gentleman)
9. (Theme From) Chariots of Fire
10. Forces
11. Bonus Material
12. Bonus Material

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Bad Plus   Primary Artist
Dave King   Drums
Ethan Iverson   Piano
Reid Anderson   Guitar (Bass),Bass

Technical Credits

Tchad Blake   Audio Production,Liner Notes,Producer,Engineer,Mixing
R. Alex Anderson   Composer
Reid Anderson   Composer
Claire Lewis   Assistant Engineer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
David Rees   Booklet Design,Cover Design,Animation,Booklet
Yves Beauvais   A&R
Vangelis   Composer