Suspicious Activity?
The Bad Plus · 2005
65 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A daring fusion of jazz and rock, filled with intricate rhythms and unexpected melodies that challenge conventional boundaries.
Top tracks — play these first
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Prehensile Dream — The opening track sets the tone with its complex interplay of rhythm and melody, showcasing the band's skillful improvisation and dynamic range.
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(Theme From) Chariots of Fire — Their creative reimagining of this iconic theme transforms it into an energetic and playful jazz piece that exemplifies their approach to familiar melodies.
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Rhinoceros Is My Profession — This track features a compelling blend of intricate arrangements and witty compositional elements, demonstrating the band's cleverness and depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases innovative compositions and strong performances, blending jazz with rock elements effectively.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate unexpected key changes, which contribute to the album's adventurous feel.
- The piano often takes the lead with intricate melodies, while the bass and drums provide a contrasting rhythmic foundation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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 rhythms that invite exploration
- dynamic shifts in pacing and
- thought-provoking soundscapes for reflection
- playful experimentation with unexpected melodies
Maybe skip if you
- want straightforward, predictable structures
- prefer constant high-energy tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2005, Suspicious Activity? is The Bad Plus's third studio album, following their breakthrough self-titled album in 2003. At this point in their career, they were establishing a unique identity within the jazz genre by blending improvisational elements with pop and avant-garde influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Brad Mehldau· Hiatus Kaiyote· Tigran Hamasyan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Prehensile Dream 8:12
- 2 Anthem for the Earnest 6:37
- 3 Let Our Garden Grow 6:56
- 4 The Empire Strikes Backwards 5:37
- 5 Knows the Difference 6:59
- 6 Lost of Love 8:38
- 7 Rhinoceros Is My Profession 5:45
- 8 O.G. (Original Gentleman) 6:33
- 9 (Theme From) Chariots of Fire 4:54
- 10 Forces 5:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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