Is This Land a good place to start with Bill Frisell?

Yes, This Land is recommended as a starting point for new Bill Frisell listeners. A tapestry of jazz-inflected melodies intertwines with Americana, showcasing Frisell's distinctive guitar work and storytelling prowess. By the time 'This Land' was released in 1994, Bill Frisell had established himself as a prominent figure in the jazz world, having gained recognition for his innovative approach to the guitar. This album followed his critically acclaimed release 'Have a Little Faith' (1992) and further cemented his reputation as a boundary-pushing artist blending genres.

Who is This Land for?

This Land works well if you're into wave-like pacing with dynamic shifts, exploratory soundscapes for wandering minds and evocative themes of vast landscapes.

How many songs are on This Land?

This Land has 14 tracks, running approximately 65 minutes.

This Land

Bill Frisell · 1994

65 min · 14 tracks · jazz

A tapestry of jazz-inflected melodies intertwines with Americana, showcasing Frisell's distinctive guitar work and storytelling prowess.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Is It Sweet? Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its reflective melodies and intricate guitar work, epitomizing Frisell's ability to blend simplicity and complexity.
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Dog Eat Dog — The track features an engaging rhythmic interplay and showcases Frisell's knack for storytelling through music, highlighting social commentary within the composition.
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This Land — As the title track, it encapsulates the album’s central themes, combining evocative melodies with a sense of place that resonates throughout Frisell's discography.
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Jimmy Carter, Part 1 — This piece introduces a narrative element that reflects on political themes, serving as a poignant reminder of the connection between music and socio-political context.

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

Frisell's unique blend of jazz and Americana creates a distinct sound, supported by intricate compositions and skilled execution.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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

wave-like pacing with dynamic shifts
exploratory soundscapes for wandering minds
evocative themes of vast landscapes
introspective moments of quiet reflection

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification tracks
prefer straightforward, upbeat songs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — This Land showcases Frisell's innovative blend of jazz and Americana, marking a key artistic moment.
Themes: American landscapes· political reflections· storytelling through sound
Career context: By the time 'This Land' was released in 1994, Bill Frisell had established himself as a prominent figure in the jazz world, having gained recognition for his innovative approach to the guitar. This album followed his critically acclaimed release 'Have a Little Faith' (1992) and further cemented his reputation as a boundary-pushing artist blending genres.
Stylistic neighbors: Pat Metheny· John Abercrombie· Julian Lage