What makes Absinthe by Naked City notable?

'Absinthe' is notable for its daring approach to jazz and avant-garde music, receiving critical acclaim and influencing subsequent generations of musicians in the experimental jazz scene. Its innovative use of dissonance and complex structures has made it a reference point for artists seeking to challenge musical norms. Released on December 10, 1993, 'Absinthe' was Naked City's final studio album before disbanding, following their influential period in the early 90s. The band, led by John Zorn, had already established a reputation for blending various genres, and this album served as a culmination of their explorative sound.

How many songs are on Absinthe?

Absinthe has 9 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

Absinthe

Naked City · 1993

47 min · 9 tracks · jazz

A frenetic blend of avant-garde jazz and experimental sounds, pushing boundaries with complex arrangements and dissonant textures.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Val de travers — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its chaotic rhythms and abrupt transitions, showcasing the band's signature style of combining jazz improvisation with avant-garde elements.
→
La fée verte — This track captures the essence of the album's theme, weaving together haunted melodies and intricate instrumentation that evoke the mythos surrounding absinthe.
→
Notre Dame de l'oubli (For Olivier Messiaen) — Dedicated to composer Olivier Messiaen, this piece reflects a more meditative side of Naked City’s work, utilizing silence and delicate harmonies that contrast with the album's intensity.
→
Verlaine, Part One: Un midi moins dix — This track explores a lyrical quality through its haunting melodies and expressive dynamics, paying homage to poet Paul Verlaine while highlighting Naked City's ability to fuse literature with sound.
→
...rend fou — Closing out the album, this track encapsulates the frenetic energy present throughout 'Absinthe,' using relentless tempos and jarring shifts to leave a lasting impression.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's complex arrangements and dissonance create a unique sound that stands out in the avant-garde jazz genre.

What we noticed

The album features abrupt tempo changes, with tracks often shifting from frenetic passages to moments of silence or minimalism.
Dissonant textures are prevalent, with unconventional instrumentation creating a chaotic yet structured soundscape.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Val de travers 6:19
2 Une correspondance 5:09
3 La fée verte 5:12
4 Fleurs du mal 4:08
5 Artemisia absinthium 4:34
6 Notre Dame de l'oubli (For Olivier Messiaen) 4:51
7 Verlaine, Part One: Un midi moins dix 4:28
8 Verlaine, Part Two: La bleue 6:12
9 …rend fou 6:03

What to play next

Listen next

Radio

1993

Go back to

Grand Guignol

1992

Full Naked City discography Artists like Naked City

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata