Top tracks — play these first
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Whether Or Not Why Not Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Bichrome Terrors — This track exemplifies the album's exploration of contrasting soundscapes, showcasing intricate arrangements that challenge traditional jazz forms while maintaining a cohesive narrative.
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Seven Fizzles: I / II / III / IV / V / VI / VII — As a lengthy suite, this piece encapsulates the essence of improvisation and structured chaos, allowing each musician to contribute uniquely to the unfolding sound tapestry.
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Quiescence (For K.B. And R.W.) — This composition stands out for its contemplative atmosphere, where silence and subtle dynamics create a reflective space that contrasts with more frenetic tracks on the album.
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 intricate interplay among musicians, making it a notable entry in contemporary jazz.
What we noticed
- The album features extended improvisational sections, with tracks often exceeding six minutes, allowing for deep exploration of themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- dynamic exploration of soundscapes
- wave-like pacing with resolution
- immersive headphone detail hunting
- evocative moods for introspection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- preferring straightforward compositions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — The album features a deliberate departure into avant-garde jazz, showcasing innovative composition.
- Themes
- avant-garde textures· improvisational chaos· contemplative silence
- Career context
- Released in 2002, Symmetries marked a significant entry in Barry Guy's discography, following his acclaimed work with the London Jazz Composers Orchestra. At this point, Guy was establishing himself as a key figure in contemporary jazz, blending improvisational techniques with structured compositions to push the genre's boundaries.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Evan Parker· Peter Brötzmann· John Zorn
Tracklist
- 1 Whether Or Not Why Not Start here 5:45
- 2 Soft Fire 5:53
- 3 Weird Nightmare 4:55
- 4 Bichrome Terrors 10:38
- 5 Quiescence (For K.B. And R.W.) 6:00
- 6 Seven Fizzles: I / II / III / IV / V / VI / VII 12:45
- 7 Odyssey 7:19
- 8 Slow Slam 3:24
- 9 Eclipse 2:55
- 10 Dark Of Light 4:53
- 11 I Have Crossed By The Grace Of The Boatman 5:05
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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