Means of Deliverance
Bill Laswell · 2012
45 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A meditative blend of dub and jazz, where atmospheric soundscapes intertwine with intricate rhythms and deep bass lines.
Top tracks — play these first
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Against the Upper House Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its immersive soundscape, blending intricate percussion with ethereal melodies that draw listeners into Laswell's world.
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In Failing Light — This track exemplifies the emotional depth of the album, featuring haunting atmospherics that evoke a sense of introspection and urgency.
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Ouroboros — Named after the ancient symbol of renewal, this track encapsulates the cyclical themes present throughout the album with its hypnotic grooves and evolving textures.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album's intricate layering and meditative quality create a unique listening experience within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album features long, flowing tracks that often extend beyond six minutes, allowing for gradual development of themes.
- Each piece employs a layered approach, with multiple instruments weaving in and out of the mix, creating a dense soundscape.
- Rhythmic elements are often subtle, with deep bass lines anchoring the atmospheric textures rather than driving the music forward.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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
- steady mid-tempo auditory journey
- immersive soundscapes for reflection
- ideal for focused listening
- explorative tracks with cohesion
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification
- seek standalone hits
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Deliberate departure into meditative dub and jazz soundscapes, praised for innovation.
- Themes
- hypnotic grooves· ethereal soundscapes· cyclical renewal
- Career context
- By the time 'Means of Deliverance' was released in 2012, Bill Laswell had established himself as a prolific producer and collaborator, known for his innovative work in various genres. This album came after his previous release 'The Last Poets' in 2011 and showcased his continued exploration of sonic textures that merge electronic music with organic sounds.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Tackhead· Herbie Hancock· Thievery Corporation
Tracklist
- 1 Against the Upper House Start here 4:37
- 2 A Dangerous Road 4:32
- 3 Ouroboros 4:19
- 4 Buhala 3:15
- 5 Bagana / Sub Figura X 4:20
- 6 In Failing Light 5:37
- 7 Aeon 5:13
- 8 Epiphaneia 4:40
- 9 Lightning in the South 4:17
- 10 Low Country 4:13
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Drunk
Thundercat
Shares a similar blend of intricate rhythms and deep bass with meditative, atmospheric qualities.
Cosmogramma
Flying Lotus
Explores ethereal soundscapes and hypnotic grooves, merging jazz with electronic textures.
Spaces
Nils Frahm
Delivers a meditative atmosphere with cyclical renewal through dynamic piano and electronic soundscapes.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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