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.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Mikolaj Trzaska, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, Paal Nilssen-Love : The Last Temple vol.3 Avant-Garde Jazz
MIKOŁAJ TRZASKA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Mikolaj Trzaska, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, Paal Nilssen-Love : The Last Temple, Vol.1 Avant-Garde Jazz
MIKOŁAJ TRZASKA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Mikołaj Trzaska / Ingebrigt Håker Flaten / Paal Nilssen-Love : The Last Temple Vol.2 Avant-Garde Jazz
MIKOŁAJ TRZASKA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Sustain Avant-Garde Jazz
AALY TRIO
Buy this album from MMA partners
Sunset Park Post Bop
TOBIAS MEINHART
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

FASCINATING RHYTHM - The Amazing Keystone Big Band feat. Neima Naouri
THE AMAZING KEYSTONE BIG BAND
snobb· 1 day ago
Alicante
RENAUD GARCIA-FONS
js· 1 day ago
She's Forty with Me
WILTON CRAWLEY
js· 1 day ago
Tall Tillie's Too Tight
WILTON CRAWLEY
js· 1 day ago
Rhoda Scott Ladies and Gentlemen - special guest : David Linx
RHODA SCOTT
snobb· 1 day ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed