What makes New Monastery by Nels Cline notable?

The album is notable for its ambitious length and intricate arrangements, reflecting a deep homage to late jazz musician Andrew Hill. It has received critical acclaim, appearing on numerous year-end lists and contributing to Cline's reputation as a leading figure in avant-garde music circles. New Monastery was released in 2006 as Nels Cline's first album after joining Wilco, marking a significant moment in his career. This album showcases Cline's distinct blend of indie rock and jazz influences, illustrating his evolution as a composer and guitarist following his earlier work with The Nels Cline Singers.

Who is New Monastery for?

New Monastery works well if you're into gradual builds toward climactic moments, immersive exploration of soundscapes and thought-provoking late-night listening.

How many songs are on New Monastery?

New Monastery has 7 tracks, running approximately 73 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

New Monastery

Nels Cline · 2006

73 min · 7 tracks · indie rock

Experimental jazz-inflected compositions explore texture and improvisation, blurring the lines between structured melody and chaotic expression.

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Top tracks — play these first

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No Doubt | 11-8 | Dance With Death — This lengthy track encapsulates the album's spirit through complex rhythms and melodic explorations, showcasing Cline's ability to weave intricate narratives within extended compositions.
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Reconciliation | New Monastery — The title track serves as a pivotal point in the album, merging haunting melodies with improvisational flourishes that reflect both personal and musical reconciliation.
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Dedication — This piece highlights Cline's mastery of atmosphere, blending soft textures with dynamic shifts that create an emotional journey, representing the album’s thematic depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

71 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate arrangements and blend of jazz and rock create a distinctive sound that rewards repeated listens.

What we noticed

The album features extended compositions, with several tracks exceeding seven minutes, allowing for gradual development of themes and improvisation.
Tracks often shift between structured melodies and free-form sections, creating a dynamic tension that challenges traditional song structures.

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

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

gradual builds toward climactic moments
immersive exploration of soundscapes
thought-provoking late-night listening
rich improvisation for attentive ears
patient unfolding of complex arrangements

Maybe skip if you

seeking quick, catchy tunes
prefer straightforward, short tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: New Monastery was released in 2006 as Nels Cline's first album after joining Wilco, marking a significant moment in his career. This album showcases Cline's distinct blend of indie rock and jazz influences, illustrating his evolution as a composer and guitarist following his earlier work with The Nels Cline Singers.
Stylistic neighbors: Jeff Parker· Bill Frisell· Tortoise