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Kneebody: You Can Have Your Moment
ByContinuing to explore a variety of genres, the five members of Kneebody juxtapose the fractured rhythms and tempos of M-Base funk, the impressionistic palette of chamber-pop, and the cool futurism of post-rock into a cohesive fusion of styles. Syncopated rhythms, shifting time signatures and contrapuntal harmonies underpin the cantilevered foundations of the group's sophisticated writing, bolstered by a straightforward melodic sensibility that values soulfulness over virtuosity.
The kaleidoscopic array of Fender Rhodes patterns that underscore "Call" are indicative of the formera testament to keyboardist Adam Benjamin's creative talents, honed as a regular member of Dave Douglas' Keystone sextet. The congenial interplay that introduces "High Noon" spotlights the bond between saxophonist Ben Wendel and trumpeter Shane Endsley, whose emotive horns spar and feint with impetuous fervor. Bassist Kaveh Rastegar and drummer Nate Wood infuse labyrinthine forms with graceful aplomb, providing stalwart focus to an array of approaches, from the fractious intervals of the angular "Nerd Mountain" to the rubato ebb-and-flow of the ethereal tone poem "The Entrepreneur."
Brief and to the point, none of the twelve tunes break the seven minute mark, with many half that duration. Individual solos are brief and thematically drivenmodels of economy and compositional foresight. On "The Blind," the quintet works in opposition to the pithy metric grooves it excels at, patiently developing a heartrending theme that expands to anthemic proportions in under four minutesa miniature-pop symphony in all but name. From the metallic grind of "Teddy Ruxpin" to the opulent balladry of "Desperation Station," Kneebody has found a viable middle ground between the emotional accessibility of popular music and the cerebral heights of free improvisation. You Can Have Your Moment offers listeners a chance to have their own.
Track Listing
Teddy Ruxpin; Held; The Entrepreneur; No Thank You Mr. West; You Have One Unheard Message; The Blind; You Can Have Your Moment; Desperation Station; Nerd Mountain; Call; Unforseen Influences; High Noon.
Personnel
Kneebody
band / ensemble / orchestraAdam Benjamin: Fender Rhodes, effects; Ben Wendel: saxophone, melodica, effects; Shane Endsley: trumpet, effects; Kaveh Rastegar: electric bass, effects; Nate Wood: drums.
Album information
Title: You Can Have Your Moment | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Winter & Winter
Comments
About Kneebody
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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