New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges
Colin Stetson · 2011
44 min · 14 tracks · jazz
A haunting blend of avant-jazz textures and minimalist compositions, where breath and sound become one in an immersive experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Judges — The title track encapsulates the album's themes with its complex layering of sounds and rhythmic intensity, representing Stetson’s unique saxophone techniques and emotional depth.
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Lord I Just Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes — This cover transforms a gospel classic into an atmospheric exploration of sorrow and redemption, highlighting Stetson’s ability to reinterpret traditional forms through modern improvisation.
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Fear of the Unknown and the Blazing Sun — The track employs tension-building dynamics and intricate soundscapes, exemplifying Stetson's mastery of creating evocative auditory experiences that resonate deeply with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album's immersive soundscapes and innovative techniques mark it as a standout in avant-garde jazz.
What we noticed
- The album features extended tracks, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for gradual development of themes.
- Stetson employs circular breathing techniques, creating a continuous flow of sound that blurs the lines between notes and silence.
- Each track often builds from a single motif, layering textures and dynamics to create an immersive auditory landscape.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- 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
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
- immersive soundscapes for deep focus
- haunting textures evoke introspection
- short tracks for reflective pauses
- dynamic contrasts keep engagement
- emotional weight in minimalist forms
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party atmosphere
- prefer traditional song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges' was released in 2011, Colin Stetson was establishing himself as a distinctive voice in avant-garde jazz. This album followed his critically acclaimed debut and marked a significant evolution in his approach to solo performance, showcasing innovative techniques with the saxophone that challenged traditional boundaries.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Matthew Halsall· Tomasz Stańko· Shabaka Hutchings
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Awake on Foreign Shores 1:30
- 2 Judges 5:13
- 3 The Stars in His Head (Dark Lights remix) 5:30
- 4 All the Days I've Missed You (ILAIJ I) 1:15
- 5 From No Part of Me Could I Summon a Voice 2:16
- 6 A Dream of Water 3:35
- 7 Home 3:12
- 8 Lord I Just Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes 4:49
- 9 Clothed in the Skin of the Dead 3:40
- 10 All the Colors Bleached to White (ILAIJ II) 0:36
- 11 Red Horse (Judges II) 2:57
- 12 The Righteous Wrath of an Honorable Man 2:27
- 13 Fear of the Unknown and the Blazing Sun 2:42
- 14 In Love and in Justice 4:54
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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