Inevitable Western
The Bad Plus · 2014
50 min · 9 tracks · jazz
A daring blend of jazz and avant-garde influences, characterized by intricate rhythms and an exploratory spirit.
Top tracks — play these first
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Gold Prisms Incorporated — This track showcases the band's ability to weave intricate melodies with complex harmonies, embodying their experimental ethos while remaining accessible.
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You Will Lose All Fear — With its haunting piano lines and dynamic shifts, this song encapsulates the emotional depth and adventurous spirit that defines the album.
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Inevitable Western — The title track serves as a culmination of the album's themes, melding improvisation with structured composition to create a captivating listening experience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases intricate compositions and bold experimentation, solidifying The Bad Plus's innovative approach to jazz.
What we noticed
- Each track typically develops through a series of distinct sections, often transitioning abruptly between themes and motifs.
- The use of dynamics is pronounced, with moments of quiet introspection followed by sudden bursts of intensity, especially in 'Inevitable Western'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- intricate rhythms that invite exploration
- thoughtful moments for quiet reflection
- dynamic shifts keeping engagement high
- lengthy tracks rewarding patient listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, catchy melodies
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Inevitable Western' was released in January 2014, The Bad Plus had already established themselves as a groundbreaking force in contemporary jazz with their innovative approach to genre-blending. This album marked their first release after parting ways with long-time bassist Reid Anderson, showcasing how the band would evolve without losing their unique identity while continuing to push boundaries.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Brad Mehldau· Hiatus Kaiyote· Tigran Hamasyan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Hear You 5:31
- 2 Gold Prisms Incorporated 6:28
- 3 Self Serve 4:34
- 4 You Will Lose All Fear 6:51
- 5 Do It Again 3:55
- 6 Epistolary Echoes 4:16
- 7 Adopted Highway 9:43
- 8 Mr. Now 4:04
- 9 Inevitable Western 5:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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