Customer Reviews

Radiolarians 3 (Dig)

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This whole Radiolarians series is phenomenal. If you're new to MMW you might want to start with Shack Man and Friday Afternoon in the Universe... but this is all pretty accessible even to the uninitiated. These guys are just amazing, I feel they're historically great. But leaving aside their "importance", just put on some headphones and lose yourself here. Highly, highly recommended.

Volume III is an enjoyable book end to a good series. As with the two proceeding recordings, Medeski Martin and Wood keep things pretty loose. Comparatively, the trilogy doesn't have as many of the anthemic types of tunes that are so prevalent on recordings like "Uninvisible" and "Shack Man." Melody, groove and arrangement make casual appearances. Rock and funk are in the vehicle, but more often than not, avant-garde is in the driver's seat. That written, it's very listenable when compared to albums like "Notes from the Underground" and "Farmer's Reserve." While Radiolarians probably shouldn't be anybody's introduction to the band, this is a good listen for steadfast listeners. Sonically, there are acoustic moments, but most of the environment is electric. As a nod to the band's more accessible material, 'Undone' may be the highlight, followed by 'Walk Back.' 'Jean's Scene' is a fun frolic through Cuba. In this piece, it sounds like John Medeski was possessed by Rubén González. The other songs are enjoyable but not especially compelling. Even compared to the rest of the series, volume III is arguably the weakest. All in all, Radiolarians III is a quality listen for the devoted.

This is the culmination of the Radiolarians experimental writing process and the band caps it off with wonderful results. The bands chops and interplay are in fine form after jumping into the studio right from the road with the tunes fully fleshed out.

Call me crazy but I think the first 3 tracks are telling the musical story of the Katrina tradgedy. Track one "Chantes Des Femmes" being a rousing celebration of the pre- hurricane New Orleans music scene. I love the rollicking, hard driving drums by Martin. Track two "Satan your kingdom must come down" expressing the mix of sadness and fear as the monster storm approached the coast and finnally track three "Kota" is the storm slamming into the great crescent city. Medeski is amazing on this track, he fills all the empty spaces of this simple groove as he tinkles the keys to symbolize the rain and slams the piano to approximate the stunning force of the wind.

Wood has to be one of the great bass players of his generation. He is a consumate artist.

Track four sounds to me to be influenced by the Benivento - Russo Duo as MMW perform in tighter, more structured parameters on this one. Almost a standard verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus contruction. Very intersting.

The remainder of the CD continues the greatness, check out the reggae-like grove in of the final track, what a great riff.

Give this one a few listens and you will be just as entertained as I have been by this peerless work of art.

Medeski, Martin & Wood close their trio of Radiolarian discs with the most diverse one. I think "II" is the best, but "III" isn't far behind. There are a bunch of songs that fit well with the MMW style, like "Walk Back", then there are a bunch that are a little different. "Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down" has a long solo acoustic piano beginning, before the rest of the guys come in. "Kota" has Oriental flavor, and the chugging eighth notes of "Undone" sounds like an alternative rock instrumental. "Jean's Scene" has more acoustic piano and a tropical or exotic flavor.

"Radiolarians III" continues MMW's recent good streak with another worthy CD.