What makes Macroscope by The Nels Cline Singers notable?

Macroscope received critical acclaim for its adventurous spirit and intricate compositions, reinforcing The Nels Cline Singers' place within the modern jazz landscape. The album was noted for its ambitious structure, influencing contemporary jazz musicians to embrace experimental approaches in their work. Upon the release of Macroscope in 2014, The Nels Cline Singers were solidifying their reputation as avant-garde innovators in the jazz scene. This album followed their 2009 release, Initiate, showcasing a deepening exploration of collective improvisation and complex arrangements that characterized their evolving sound.

How many songs are on Macroscope?

Macroscope has 10 tracks, running approximately 58 minutes.

Macroscope

The Nels Cline Singers · 2014

58 min · 10 tracks · jazz

Experimental jazz intertwines intricate guitar work with atmospheric improvisations, creating a rich tapestry of sound and emotion.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Macroscopic (For Kusama-San) — This track exemplifies the album's exploration of texture and atmosphere, blending delicate guitar lines with expansive soundscapes that pay homage to artist Yayoi Kusama.
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Seven Zed Heaven — Clocking in at over eleven minutes, this piece showcases the band's improvisational prowess and dynamic shifts, embodying the essence of free-form jazz.
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The Wedding Band — This track features a captivating blend of rhythmic complexity and melodic interplay, highlighting the collaborative synergy between the musicians.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and a cohesive flow, making it a notable entry in modern jazz.

What we noticed

The album features extended tracks, with several exceeding seven minutes, allowing for deep improvisational exploration.
Tracks frequently transition seamlessly into one another, blurring the lines between individual pieces and enhancing the overall flow.

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

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 Companion Piece 5:37
2 Canales’ Cabeza 4:25
3 Respira 4:19
4 Red Before Orange 4:11
5 The Wedding Band 8:17
6 Macroscopic (For Kusama-San) 4:00
7 Climb Down 3:21
8 Seven Zed Heaven 11:15
9 Hairy Mother 7:10
10 Sascha’s Book of Frogs 5:54

What to play next

Go back to

The Celestial Septet

2010

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

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata