Exercises in Futility cover

Exercises in Futility

Marc Ribot · 2008

55 min · 15 tracks · experimental music · vocal music

An avant-garde exploration blending dissonance and melody, challenging conventional guitar narratives through intricate etudes.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • intricate etudes for focused listening
  • challenging soundscapes for deep thought
  • experimental textures for curious minds
  • patient exploration of dissonance
  • cerebral engagement with abstract ideas

Maybe skip if you want

  • wanting straightforward musical narratives
  • preferring instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

Career context
By 2008, Marc Ribot was an established figure in experimental music, known for his collaborations with artists like Tom Waits. 'Exercises in Futility' marked a significant shift as it focused on solo guitar compositions, showcasing Ribot's improvisational skill and musical complexity. This album followed his work on the acclaimed 'Spiritual Unity' and further solidified his reputation as a boundary-pushing musician.
Stylistic neighbors
John Zorn· Bill Frisell· Nels Cline

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Etude #1 Five Gestures 5:47
  • 2 Etude #2 Morton 1 4:59
  • 3 Etude #3 Elvis 4:04
  • 4 Etude #4 Bombasto 2:53
  • 5 Etude #5 Lame 3:47
  • 6 Etude #6 Cowboy 1:46
  • 7 Etude #7 Ballad 2:53
  • 8 Etude #8 Groove? 3:14
  • 9 Etude #9 Morton 2 3:20
  • 10 Etude #10 Min 1:24
  • 11 Etude #11 Ascending 2:03
  • 12 Etude #12 Mirror 4:21
  • 13 Etude #13 Wank 4:20
  • 14 Etude #14 Event on 10th Avenue 1:18
  • 15 The Joy of Repetition 9:49

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata