Search - Bundy K Brown, James Warden, Doug Scharin :: Directions in Music

Different - And yet still the same...

bujuzu | Portland, ME | 09/06/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Historically, Mr. Brown has filled in and hopped around in the McEntire-Chicago scene from band to band, project to project (Tortoise, Gastr Del Sol, etc). When I saw this album appear in the ranks of the Thrill Jockey Catalogue I was anxious to hear it - I am always curious to see what a musician who has regulary been in the back lines can do up front.As it turns out, he has really put some unique work into it. The album seems to embrace melodic, guitar-oriented tunes. There are some beautiful works of music on this album. Track 4 is an ingenius display of what Brown can do With your basic 3 instruments.The surprise in it was the slight de-emphasis of the supplementary instruments this genre of music usually warrants: Not as many vibes, synth, blips or beeps as I had expected - It seems more focused on straight forward, playable tunes surrounding catchy chord progressions. This is not a bad thing, only different.Dispite any differences, its all there - The overall sound of the album leaves you without a doubt of what this music is: another offspring of Chicago's "Post-rock?" clique. Which brings me to the downside of the album - I believe you'd only like it if you dig the genre. Additionally, I found myself at times waiting for something to happen. I was at times disappointed with the sometimes anti-climactic tunes.The verdict? If you like the more melodic, acoustical works like Jim O'Rourke or Gastr Del Sol, get it. If it's catchy, pop tunes like The Sea and Cake or any other McEntire-esque music you might be disappointed. I gave 3 stars to this one (which, by the way isn't bad, I'm just a conservative critic). I really like this album - it will spend many hours on my turntable in the years to come."

A gem that got away practically unnoticed

buildmeahomewaltergropius | 10/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a remarkable album made by some of the leading figures in modern music. Whenever Doug Scharin sits down behind a drum-kit magic starts to take place. It sounds like an entire drumband, but it's just Doug and his drums.
Bundy K Brown again is a soundwizzard. He somehow knows when to jump ship. He left Tortoise just before they kinda broke through.
This sounds like a unplugged tortoise with jazzier drums. A definitly must-have album if you're into the chicago based music."

A melodic beauty

J. Cons | Ithaca | 12/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a truely exceptional album. It is perhaps the best and least recognized release from the vast nexus of tortoise associated bands available. Every time I listen to this album I shocked at how beautiful, rich, and democratic Direction's music is. If you are a lover of bands from the math-rock ouvre, you've got to pick this up."