Is Lacrosse a good place to start with John Zorn?

Yes, Lacrosse is recommended as a starting point for new John Zorn listeners. An expansive exploration of avant-garde jazz, weaving intricate improvisations with unconventional structures and a sense of urgency. By the time 'Lacrosse' was released in 2000, John Zorn had already established himself as a boundary-pushing figure in avant-garde music, following his influential works in the 1990s. This album marks a continuation of Zorn's innovative approach to composition and improvisation, demonstrating his unique ability to blend genres and challenge musical conventions.

Lacrosse works well if you're into gradual build towards climax, immersive sound exploration sessions and patient listening for detail.

How many songs are on Lacrosse?

Lacrosse has 7 tracks, running approximately 101 minutes.

Lacrosse

John Zorn · 2000

101 min · 7 tracks · avant-garde jazz

An expansive exploration of avant-garde jazz, weaving intricate improvisations with unconventional structures and a sense of urgency.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Take 3 Start here — Clocking in at nearly 23 minutes, this track exemplifies Zorn's mastery of extended improvisation and complex arrangements, creating a dynamic soundscape that evolves continuously.
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Twins Version — As the album's concluding piece at nearly 30 minutes, it encapsulates the thematic explorations of duality and complexity that permeate the entire record.
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Take 1 — This track serves as an accessible entry point into the album's challenging landscape, balancing structured melodies with spontaneous bursts of creativity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate improvisations and unconventional structures, marking it as a distinctive work in avant-garde jazz.

What we noticed

The album consists of seven tracks, each titled as 'Take' followed by a number, indicating a focus on improvisation and variation.
Each track features extended lengths, with several exceeding ten minutes, allowing for deep exploration of musical themes.
The instrumentation is diverse, incorporating various woodwinds and strings, creating a rich tapestry of sound that shifts frequently.
Improvisational sections often build in intensity before abruptly transitioning to quieter passages, maintaining a sense of urgency throughout.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 3/10

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

gradual build towards climax
immersive sound exploration sessions
patient listening for detail
late-night contemplative engagement

Maybe skip if you

seeking immediate gratification
prefer concise, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Represents an ambitious exploration of Zorn's avant-garde jazz style.
Career context: By the time 'Lacrosse' was released in 2000, John Zorn had already established himself as a boundary-pushing figure in avant-garde music, following his influential works in the 1990s. This album marks a continuation of Zorn's innovative approach to composition and improvisation, demonstrating his unique ability to blend genres and challenge musical conventions.
Stylistic neighbors: Mike Patton· The Thing· Merzbow