What makes Stick Man by Tony Levin notable?

Stick Man showcases Levin's unique approach to composition and musicianship, garnering positive reviews from critics for its innovative blend of styles. The album highlights Levin's contributions to the progressive rock scene and has influenced contemporary bassists seeking to expand their sound beyond traditional boundaries. Released in 2007, Stick Man is Tony Levin's first solo album in over a decade, following his work with King Crimson and Peter Gabriel. At this point in his career, Levin had established himself as a master bassist and sought to explore his own musical ideas outside of collaborative projects, marking a significant personal artistic venture.

How many songs are on Stick Man?

Stick Man has 17 tracks, running approximately 58 minutes.

Stick Man

Tony Levin · 2007

58 min · 17 tracks · jazz

An eclectic fusion of jazz rhythms and progressive rock textures, driven by intricate bass lines and adventurous compositions.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Gut String Theory — This track exemplifies Levin's skillful interplay between melody and rhythm, showcasing his ability to create complex yet accessible musical ideas.
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Slow Glide — With its meditative quality and layered instrumentation, this piece highlights Levin’s talent for blending atmospheric soundscapes with rhythmic complexities.
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Not Just Another Pretty Bass — This track serves as a showcase for Levin's virtuosic bass techniques while cleverly integrating humor into its composition, making it both entertaining and impressive.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

Levin's eclectic fusion of jazz and progressive rock showcases strong composition but lacks cohesive flow across its length.

What we noticed

The album features intricate bass lines that often serve as the primary melodic element, with other instruments weaving around them.
The last three tracks gradually decrease in tempo and intensity, allowing for a reflective conclusion to the album.

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

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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 Welcome 3:42
2 Gut String Theory 3:28
3 Speedbump 2:48
4 Slow Glide 4:01
5 Shraag 4:27
6 Not Just Another Pretty Bass 3:23
7 El mercado 2:28
8 Orange Alert 2:34
9 In Her Locket 3:58
10 Rising Waters 3:18
11 Metro 4:22
12 Zeros to Disk 3:34
13 Sticky Fingers 2:28
14 Rivers of Light 4:26
15 Chop Shop 2:54
16 The Gorgon Sisters Have a Chat 2:35
17 Dark Blues 3:39

What to play next

Listen next

Bringing It Down to the Bass

2024

Go back to

Resonator

2006

Full Tony Levin discography Artists like Tony Levin

jazz progressive rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata