What makes Give by The Bad Plus notable?

This album received significant critical acclaim, reflecting The Bad Plus's unique approach to jazz that incorporates elements of rock and pop. Notably, the track 'Iron Man' garnered attention for its bold reinterpretation of the Black Sabbath classic, showcasing their ability to bridge diverse musical worlds and appeal to a broader audience. Released in 2004, 'Give' was The Bad Plus's third album and marked their continued evolution after their self-titled debut in 2003. At this point, they were establishing themselves as a distinctive voice in the jazz scene, known for their innovative interpretations and original compositions.

Give works well if you're into playful experimentation with unexpected twists, dynamic shifts in energy levels and intricate arrangements that invite attention.

How many songs are on Give?

Give has 11 tracks, running approximately 52 minutes.

Give

The Bad Plus · 2004

52 min · 11 tracks · jazz

An adventurous blend of jazz intricacies and rock-infused energy, challenging genre boundaries with playful experimentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Iron Man — This track exemplifies the band's fearless approach by transforming a heavy metal anthem into a jazz exploration filled with intricate rhythms and improvisation.
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Velouria — A creative cover of the Pixies song, it highlights the band's knack for reimagining popular music within a jazz framework, blending familiar melodies with complex jazz harmonies.
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1979 Semi-Finalist — Opening the album, this original composition sets an energetic tone that showcases the band's tight interplay and inventive arrangements right from the start.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The album showcases inventive compositions and strong performances, blending jazz with rock influences effectively.

What we noticed

Several pieces incorporate rock elements, such as heavy piano riffs and driving rhythms, particularly evident in 'Iron Man'.
The track 'Neptune (The Planet)' utilizes extended improvisation, allowing the musicians to explore themes over a lengthy runtime.

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

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

playful experimentation with unexpected twists
dynamic shifts in energy levels
intricate arrangements that invite attention
adventurous soundscapes for exploration

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward, predictable music
want consistent pacing throughout

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2004, 'Give' was The Bad Plus's third album and marked their continued evolution after their self-titled debut in 2003. At this point, they were establishing themselves as a distinctive voice in the jazz scene, known for their innovative interpretations and original compositions.
Stylistic neighbors: Brad Mehldau· Hiatus Kaiyote· Tigran Hamasyan

Tracklist

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

1 1979 Semi-Finalist 5:18
2 Cheney Piñata 4:49
3 Street Woman 3:58
4 And Here We Test Our Powers of Observation 4:22
5 Frog and Toad 3:37
6 Velouria 5:37
7 Layin' a Strip for the Higher-Self State Line 4:17
8 Do Your Sums-Die Like a Dog-Play for Home 5:05
9 Dirty Blonde 3:42
10 Neptune (The Planet) 5:30
11 Iron Man 6:01

What to play next

Listen next

Suspicious Activity?

2005

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These Are the Vistas

2003

Full The Bad Plus discography Artists like The Bad Plus

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata