Naked City
John Zorn · 1990
55 min · 26 tracks · avant-garde jazz
A frenzied collage of genres that melds jazz improvisation with punk energy and cinematic flair.
Top tracks — play these first
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Batman Start here — This opening track sets an intense pace, showcasing Zorn's ability to deconstruct familiar themes with frenetic rhythms and unexpected shifts.
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The Sicilian Clan — A standout piece that blends moody jazz with cinematic tension, demonstrating Zorn’s knack for creating evocative soundscapes within a short duration.
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You Will Be Shot — Clocking in at just over a minute, this track exemplifies the album's avant-garde ethos through its abrupt transitions and chaotic energy.
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Chinatown — This track blends slow-burning suspense with intricate arrangements, reflecting Zorn's mastery of pacing and atmospheric depth amidst the chaos.
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Graveyard Shift — Serving as a closing statement on the album, this track encapsulates the eclectic mix of styles while leaving listeners with a haunting final impression.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalA frenetic blend of genres with unique structures makes it stand out in avant-garde jazz.
What we noticed
- Each track blends elements from various genres, often shifting styles abruptly within the same piece.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- wave-like pacing with surprises
- dynamic exploration of themes
- short bursts of chaotic energy
- engaging headphone detail hunting
- cathartic bursts of intensity
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of consistent flow
- prefer straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Known for its innovative blend of genres, it represents a high point in Zorn's artistic output.
- Career context
- By the time 'Naked City' was released in 1990, John Zorn had established himself as a leading figure in avant-garde music, having previously gained attention with his debut album 'The Big Gundown' in 1985. This album served as a significant pivot point, marking his exploration into more chaotic compositions that intertwined various musical influences and genres, establishing the Naked City project as a cornerstone of his innovative approach.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mike Patton· The Thing· Merzbow
Tracklist
- 1 Batman Start here 2:03
- 2 The Sicilian Clan 3:33
- 3 You Will Be Shot 1:31
- 4 Latin Quarter 4:11
- 5 A Shot in the Dark 3:13
- 6 Reanimator 1:43
- 7 Snagglepuss 2:20
- 8 I Want to Live 2:12
- 9 Lonely Woman 2:45
- 10 Igneous Ejaculation 0:23
- 11 Blood Duster 0:16
- 12 Hammerhead 0:11
- 13 Demon Sanctuary 0:41
- 14 Obeah Man 0:20
- 15 Ujaku 0:30
- 16 Fuck the Facts 0:14
- 17 Speedball 0:43
- 18 Chinatown 4:28
- 19 Punk China Doll 3:05
- 20 N.Y. Flat Top Box 0:45
- 21 Saigon Pickup 4:50
- 22 The James Bond Theme 3:06
- 23 Den of Sins 1:14
- 24 Contempt 2:53
- 25 Graveyard Shift 3:32
- 26 Inside Straight 4:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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