Old Locks and Irregular Verbs cover

Released 10 years ago

Old Locks and Irregular Verbs

Henry Threadgill · 2016

47 min · 4 tracks · jazz

An exploratory fusion of jazz and avant-garde elements that defies conventional structures with its complex rhythms and rich textures.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Old Locks and Irregular Verbs, Part One — This nearly twenty-minute piece sets the tone for the album with intricate improvisations and dynamic shifts, embodying Threadgill's unique compositional voice.
  • →
    Old Locks and Irregular Verbs, Part Two — The shorter format allows for a more concise exploration of motifs introduced in the first part, showcasing the ensemble's tight interplay and Threadgill's deft arrangement skills.
  • →
    Old Locks and Irregular Verbs, Part Three — This track expands on thematic material while introducing contrasting textures, demonstrating Threadgill's ability to weave complexity into accessible forms.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
73 /100
Alpine
Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album showcases complex structures and rich textures, making it a notable entry in contemporary jazz.

What we noticed

  • The album's total runtime is approximately 40 minutes, with each track averaging around 10 minutes, allowing for extensive improvisation and exploration.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
9/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 3/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Old Locks and Irregular Verbs, Part One 19:15
  • 2 Old Locks and Irregular Verbs, Part Two 3:54
  • 3 Old Locks and Irregular Verbs, Part Three 16:38
  • 4 Old Locks and Irregular Verbs, Part Four 7:14

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata