Of all the albums on this list, I think this is the one I’m most intimidated by. That isn’t because I dislike jazz, but rather because I’ve felt like when it comes to this genre it’s the one most other music aficionados are to claim that I “don’t get”. I wouldn’t disagree with them. Prior to writing this review I scoured the internet for guides to ensure that I was interpreting it correctly, understanding its influence and legacy before I went on to express any sort of half-baked opinion on it. I read song by song guides. I inspected other reviewers’ opinions. I read listicles.
And you know what I discovered? This album is good because it’s good. It’s a well-composed album put together by a group of stellar musicians. It’s one of Miles Davis’ more subdued albums, even lambasted by the composer himself in later years. It’s great because it’s simple. It’s praised as one of the best jazz albums of all time because it doesn’t try to be anything other than a laid back, moodsetter of an album. Sure there’s some hip modal stuff going on, but just enjoy it ya know? There’s something to be said about not needing to demand that people notice how great you are at your craft, and just being great. You’re thinkin’ too hard, Cat.
I include all of this exposition not to somehow justify my inexperience with the genre and its subtle nuances, but to almost reassure myself that what I’m hearing (or not hearing) is ok. To many of my trained musician friends I’m sure there are subtle details that could be pulled from each song, each moment even, to explain the genius of this album. But these reviews aren’t for the jazz literate, nor should they be a venue for me to wax on about something I quite frankly don’t know shit about. These are the simple reviews of a man who likes music and enjoys exploring the vast array of genres.
The long short of it is that this album is good! It’s a solid jazz album that sets a mood, and doesn’t demand repeat listens but rather rewards the listener for them. I found, having listened to this album months ago, that upon rediscovering it this week I was able to hum along with the majority of the melodies. There are plenty of hooks to go around, and I’m sure that with continued listens I would find myself being able to pick out engaging moments from the vast solo sections. So if there’s anything to take away from this review, it’s this: this album is cool. Put it on when you’re making dinner, studying for your test, or just sitting with a scotch and watching the snow fall. And if you find yourself tapping your toe to it, then great! If all you catch is a passing melody, nice! This album doesn’t erupt from your speaker, firing on all cylinders, but maybe that’s the point. Because when you’re great at something, do you really need to prove it? No… sometimes you can just be it.
My Rating: 3.5/ 5
The Word and The Song 