What makes Prog by The Bad Plus notable?

Prog received significant critical acclaim upon its release, reinforcing The Bad Plus's position in contemporary jazz. Notably, their cover of 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' gained traction, showcasing their unique ability to transform pop songs into intricate jazz pieces and influencing a wave of jazz artists exploring similar cross-genre interpretations. Released in 2007, Prog was The Bad Plus's fifth studio album, following their breakthrough record, Suspicious Activity?. This release solidified their reputation for genre-bending covers and original compositions, as they navigated the intersection of jazz and popular music while continuing to innovate within their sound.

Prog works well if you're into intricate arrangements that surprise, exploratory improvisation on familiar tunes and varied track lengths for engagement.

How many songs are on Prog?

Prog has 10 tracks, running approximately 64 minutes.

Prog

The Bad Plus · 2007

64 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A daring blend of jazz and rock, reinterpreting classic hits with intricate arrangements and improvisational flair.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Everybody Wants to Rule the World — This track exemplifies the band's innovative approach by blending a well-known pop anthem with complex jazz harmonies and improvisation, making it a standout reinterpretation.
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Life on Mars — Their interpretation of this David Bowie classic highlights the ensemble's emotive playing and harmonic depth, transforming a familiar tune into an atmospheric exploration.
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Thriftstore Jewelry — An original composition that showcases the band's signature interplay and inventive structures, reflecting their artistic identity while offering a fresh perspective on modern jazz.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album blends jazz and rock through intricate arrangements and improvisation, making it distinctive yet cohesive.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate extended improvisational sections, allowing the musicians to explore themes in real-time rather than adhering strictly to written parts.
The first half of the album maintains a high energy level, while the latter half introduces more subdued pieces that create a contrast in dynamics.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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

intricate arrangements that surprise
exploratory improvisation on familiar tunes
varied track lengths for engagement
thoughtful listening during quiet moments

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward, catchy songs
want instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2007, Prog was The Bad Plus's fifth studio album, following their breakthrough record, Suspicious Activity?. This release solidified their reputation for genre-bending covers and original compositions, as they navigated the intersection of jazz and popular music while continuing to innovate within their sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Brad Mehldau· Hiatus Kaiyote· Tigran Hamasyan