What makes Draw Breath by The Nels Cline Singers notable?

This album is notable for its unique blend of jazz and experimental music, earning critical acclaim from sources like DownBeat and JazzTimes. It solidified The Nels Cline Singers' position in the modern jazz landscape, showcasing Cline's innovative approach to composition and improvisation. When 'Draw Breath' was released in 2007, The Nels Cline Singers were establishing themselves as a significant force in the avant-jazz scene, following their previous album 'The Giant Pin'. This marked a period where Cline began to gain wider recognition not just for his guitar work but also for his compositional prowess within an ensemble setting.

How many songs are on Draw Breath?

Draw Breath has 9 tracks, running approximately 73 minutes.

Draw Breath

The Nels Cline Singers · 2007

73 min · 9 tracks · jazz

An expansive exploration of sound where jazz improvisation intertwines with avant-garde textures and intricate melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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An Evening at Pops’ — This nearly 16-minute piece serves as a centerpiece of the album, featuring intricate guitar work layered over dynamic rhythms that evolve throughout its duration. Its structure highlights the band's ability to balance complexity with emotional depth.
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Caved-In Heart Blues — Opening the album with a haunting melody, this track introduces listeners to the band's signature sound, blending bluesy elements with avant-garde sensibilities. The interplay among musicians sets the tone for the rest of the record.
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Squirrel of God — This track showcases Cline's guitar mastery through its unpredictable shifts in tempo and mood, encapsulating the adventurous spirit of the album while exploring themes of chaos and order in music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and skilled execution, rewarding repeated listens with its depth.

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisational sections where instruments weave in and out of focus, creating a fluid soundscape.
The use of dynamics varies significantly throughout, with moments of quiet introspection followed by intense climaxes.

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

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 Caved-In Heart Blues 6:52
2 Attempted 8:51
3 Confection 4:17
4 An Evening at Pops’ 16:04
5 The Angel of Angels 6:22
6 Recognize I 4:09
7 Mixed Message 14:58
8 Recognize II 3:42
9 Squirrel of God 8:18

What to play next

Listen next

The Celestial Septet

2010

Go back to

The Giant Pin

2004

Full The Nels Cline Singers discography Artists like The Nels Cline Singers

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata