TIM BERNE — Tim Berne's Snakeoil ‎: You've Been Watching Me (review)

TIM BERNE — Tim Berne's Snakeoil ‎: You've Been Watching Me album cover Album · 2015 · 21st Century Modern Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
snobb
Tim Berne's Snakeoil was first released as his ECM debut,"You've Been Watching Me" is third band's album (all - on ECM) and first where line-up was improved with guitarist Ryan Ferreira. I know that some old Berne's fans were seriously disappointed with his ECM deal and music recorded on this label. Comparing with Berne's early avant-rock chaotic energy, his new music sounded too polished or even conformist for them.Here on third Snakeoil album adding young and generally explosive guitarist will disappoint them again - it's still obvious Snakeoil,not Berne's previous years Bloodcount with Marc Ducret.

Produced by David Torn,"You've Been Watching Me" still contains lot of rock aesthetics,more prog than brutal avant-rock though. With Snakeoil Berne from rebelling alternative jazz idol turned to mature composer still using same techniques and methods. His music now sound less scratchy and noisy, but the tension and his way of thinking are both transformed to multilayered and knotty constructions,sometimes even with obvious academic music influence.

Of all three Berne's ECM albums,this one is most collective work without obvious leader. Ferreira guitar's addition is more liquid and very controlled in quantity. As both previous Snakeoil works this one isn't easy listening even if it contains some modern rock elements.

Surprisingly,I've been a bit disappointed with sound quality,usual ECM strong side. Sound is clear and well-balanced, but somehow compressed to the level almost killing its all vitality - huge disadvantage for such kind of music.

Great album if you liked two previous Snakeoil releases, not all that much different if you didn't.
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