NEO (ITALY) — Neoclassico (review)

NEO (ITALY) — Neoclassico album cover Album · 2011 · Jazz Related Improv/Composition Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
snobb
The new Italian trio Neo album opens in accordance with its title - with short pseudo-classical miniature "Invenzione n.1". But I'm afraid here is the beginning and the end of "neoclassico" as a concept.

Starting with "Il Dente Del Pregiudizio" the trio plays what you would expect from this band which is influenced by Zorn's Naked City - noisy angular (and even hypnotically repetitive in moments) punk-jazz. This album was recorded in Steve Albini's studio during the band's visit to Chicago. Possibly this influenced their sound which became even more "American". Steve is known for his work with Nirvana and PJ Harvey as well as "live in studio" recording techniques, both this vital sound and angular indie aesthetics can be found on here.

The last few years in avantgarde rock have been quite fruitful for noisy improv bands. Sharpness, noisiness and angular improvs aren't exotic sounds any more, but fortunately Neo's music (different from many of their colleagues) has one strong positive factor - they are professionals with jazzy chops which they bring to avant-rock. They are not like noisy and heavyweight rockers trying to play music which often is too complex for their skills.

Returning back to "Neoclassico", it's possibly not as fresh and surprising as the trio's previous work. This one is more sharp and noisy, less jazzy and it is obviously more a product for American listeners, for good or bad, this depends mostly on your taste (I like their previous work more). Still its one of the more interesting releases in its category to have come out this year.
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