Never Stop
The Bad Plus · 2010
67 min · 12 tracks · jazz
An adventurous blend of jazz fusion and rock, where intricate melodies meet rhythmic experimentation and spirited improvisation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Never Stop — The title track encapsulates the band's ethos, blending complex rhythms with catchy hooks that illustrate their unique approach to jazz composition.
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People Like You — This track features an engaging dialogue between instruments that showcases the band's improvisational skills and cohesive chemistry.
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The Radio Tower Has a Beating Heart — Opening the album, this piece sets a vibrant tone with its dynamic interplay and unexpected shifts, reflecting the band's innovative spirit.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends intricate melodies with rhythmic experimentation, showcasing strong improvisation.
What we noticed
- Each track showcases extensive improvisation, with the piano, bass, and drums often engaging in call-and-response patterns.
- Several pieces, such as 'Never Stop' and 'Snowball', incorporate sudden dynamic shifts that create a sense of unpredictability.
- 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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8/10
- 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
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
- spirited improvisation and exploration
- unexpected rhythmic shifts throughout
- short tracks for varied moods
- adventurous melodies with surprises
- cathartic moments of musical release
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, predictable songs
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2010, The Bad Plus released 'Never Stop' as their sixth studio album, following their acclaimed work 'For All I Care' from 2008. This period marked a phase of artistic exploration for the trio, as they expanded their sound while maintaining their distinctive blend of jazz with pop and classical influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Brad Mehldau· Hiatus Kaiyote· Tigran Hamasyan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Radio Tower Has a Beating Heart 5:44
- 2 Never Stop 3:51
- 3 You Are 7:10
- 4 My Friend Metatron 4:22
- 5 People Like You 9:15
- 6 Beryl Loves to Dance 3:59
- 7 Snowball 7:41
- 8 2 PM 4:41
- 9 Bill Hickman at Home 9:08
- 10 Super America 2:26
- 11 Birthday Gift 6:22
- 12 Lily Pad 2:40
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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