Top tracks — play these first
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Reboot — This track exemplifies the band's improvisational prowess, featuring intricate interplay between instruments that creates a sense of constant movement and urgency.
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Heaven — Heaven stands out with its atmospheric layering and a haunting melody that invites deep emotional engagement amid chaotic instrumentation.
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Boot! — The title track encapsulates the album's spirit, merging unpredictable rhythms and textures to create an exhilarating listening experience that defines The Thing's identity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalBoot! showcases inventive compositions and strong performances, though its cohesion is uneven.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a rapid tempo in 'India', setting an energetic tone that persists through the first half.
- Tracks often feature abrupt transitions between sections, reflecting a spontaneous and improvisational approach.
- The final track, 'Epilog', serves as a quiet denouement, contrasting sharply with the frenetic energy of earlier pieces.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- spontaneous exploration of soundscapes
- dynamic shifts in pace
- immersive late-night listening sessions
- intense moments of frenetic energy
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- want predictable rhythmic patterns
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2013, Boot! is The Thing's fifth studio album, showcasing the band's evolution since their inception in the early 2000s. At this point, they had already established themselves as a significant force within the European jazz scene, known for their dynamic improvisation and collaboration with various artists.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Necks· Sonny Simmons· Peter Brötzmann
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 India 6:58
- 2 Reboot 10:17
- 3 Heaven 9:53
- 4 Red River 7:15
- 5 Boot! 7:09
- 6 Epilog 14:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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