Accessible Perfection
5
By ekknox
Long-time fans of John Zorn know that his music spans an astonishingly wide range, from death metal to jazz to chamber music and a thousand points in between. This may be his most "accessible" release yet but it's anything but lightweight. Every song's melody is memorable - many seem timeless - while the lyrics are equally arresting and compelling. Petra Haden's voice is lovely, her range and technical mastery impressive, but her emotional depth and authenticity are what really stand out. As for the band, what to say except that these are all masters (even if some are young) and there's not an iota of showboating - all is in service of the music. At the risk of sounding crazy, I think the last time I was this impressed with a "pop" album was when the Beatle's "Revolver" came out. It is that good.
