ALBUM REVIEW: Bright Dog Red - Never Would We
Photo by Ken Spielman
“If Willy Wonka’s Great Glass Elevator had music playing inside, I'd imagine it would sound like some of the things on this album, and that’s a ride I'd definitely take.”
Albany-based Bright Dog Red has become a fixture of the New York experimental jazz scene since their debut a decade ago. In conjunction with their milestone anniversary, they released their eighth studio album on October 17 of this year. Coming in at an hour, over ten tracks, Never Would We is a testament to their versatility and ability of never coming close to the line of being annoying that can plague some experimental acts. The record comes out with no bark and all bite, but not to worry, because it’ll also have you wagging your tail too.
The first three tracks are immediate highlights. The opening track, “And The Herald Blared,” caught me off guard. A seven-minute track with an opening guitar riff that would suit any metal band summoning the opening of a mosh pit, it is almost immediately joined by bouncing horns that elicit the jazz vibes you might expect from this group. The track carries on like that, gradually building with the addition of a lead guitar one might find in a grunge band — continuing to seamlessly move in and out of jazz and metal spaces, eventually hitting a full on fusion section and closing with a big, heavy outro. It’s one hell of a ride and one hell of a way to start an album.
On “Can’t Watch,” the vibes shift to an almost Afro-Cuban feel. While it is close to being a complete departure from track one, it delivers on some of the musical teases made in the opener. With ripping saxophone and percussive electric piano, it's downright groovy. Then the bass, keys, and sax all take turns teasing a melody, mixing in some different rhythms, before driving into a straight-ahead section with the addition of some poetry that flows in and out of the instrumentals, acting as its own rhythmic device — it’s extremely catchy, with the main line being, “Can’t watch this, I don’t wanna watch that,” repeated. It also contains one of the coolest lines I’ve ever heard — “Silly goose got a taste of the foie gras…”
The title track, “Never Would We,” keeps the laid back vibes alive, but also gives some electronic flavors early on. With more spoken words introduced, the entire package takes you out of this world, transporting you somewhere else entirely. It's familiar, but unsettling all at once, keeping you captivated and reassured. The lyrical content delves into the socio-political spectrum, which is a common theme for the group. What stands out the most however, is the ability of the band to sound so cohesively otherworldly, while staying very relevant.
The next three tracks continue to flow through several genres, feels, and vibes, exploring some areas that were introduced earlier, seemingly leaving no stone unturned. By this point, I am just awestruck of how, through almost 30 minutes of music, it all still sounds so fresh.
The next two highlights are tracks seven and nine, “Null and Void” and “How The Seasons Begin,” respectively. “Null and Void” has a tremendous atmosphere, leaving spaces in all the right places and providing a slow burn that continuously draws you in until you reach the climax of the song — some downright funky sounds. It feels like the curtain has been pulled back for a behind the scenes look into what has been a wild ride so far, and then settles into maybe the most straightforward music you hear up to this point. It’s a tasty little payoff for the aforementioned slow burn and allows everyone to stretch out a bit.
“How The Seasons Begin,” is the most mainstream sounding song on the record, with a soft and catchy melody. Don’t worry though, it’s still in the stylings of Bright Dog Red. Just when you think you’re getting a West Coast pop tune, the band throws in a swerve. Things get quiet and spoken word takes over the airwaves about halfway through, which then breaks into a bass and drum break that feels like hard bop, slowly making its way back to the opening section of the song.
The album wraps up with “The Herald’s Lament” which ends a 60-minute joyride through time and space. If Willy Wonka’s Great Glass Elevator had music playing inside, I'd imagine it would sound like some of the things on this album, and that’s a ride I'd definitely take. If you’re craving something familiar, that’s also outside the norm, then this is a good place to start.
*Fun fact: this record was mastered by the Capital Region’s own, legendary trombone player, Bryan Brunige, who now resides in Boston, Massachusetts.
Never Would We is now available on all major listening platforms. Bright Dog Red will also be performing at No Fun on Thursday, November 13 and keep an eye out for an interview with the band in next month’s print issue!