Bela Fleck & Flecktones, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Hidden Land
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Free Music Notes for Hidden Land
Free Music Review: Flashes of greatness.
Hit: 2 Stars
I have to say that this is without a doubt their most uninspired and unoriginal album yet. The first few tracks are really bad, as bad as "The Ballad of Jed Clampett" (I thought they got all that out of their system?). Maybe it will grow on me, but I think with repeated listens I will become more and more bored with it. I will say that as the album moves on, it gets better and "Misunderstood" is definitely the high point on the album (Too bad it takes so long to get there). I have a really hard time recommending this album especially considering their ridiculously strong output leading up to it. Here's to hoping their following is looking better for the mighty Flecktones.
Look for _Outbound_ or _Little Worlds_ instead.
Free Music Review: Boring at best, even with the amazing Bela & Victor
Hit: 1 Stars
A long time Flecktone fan, introduced via a perfromance on KY Public TV program The Lonesome Pine Special in the early 90's, with Brandford Marsalis guesting. That music, which I ran out and bought, contained on BF&F and Flight of the Cosmic Hippo, was, and is still, fresh, challenging, moving. I had never heard any such sound come from a banjo, appreciated as busy a bassman, seen a performance of electic drum triggers, nor experienced a man giving his piano a lesson one-handed AND simulatneously playing harmonica in a different key and time signature.
These first Flecktone discs give an all around great listen, appealing to both those looking for technical music, and those just looking for something to hum. This latest disc can be best described as 'lacking', and is no match for the ability of these players, their experience and talent as individuals and a group seemingly unused. This music has graduated fully into jam jazz, with extended solos taking the place of group interplay. No discredit to Coffin, whose awesome Two Horn Blues is unfortunately not available among releases, but this music has been heading in this direction since his entry. I was hopeful that the year of 2005 the Flecktones spent apart would recharge their interest and abilities, and produce better music than the 3 or 4 prior releases.
There is no challenge in or reward from listening. This music is an attempt to be cute, appealing to the masses instead of the few who were drawn to their once unique music. They still come no better than Bela & Victor, but any chance we can please get Howard Levy back? And will someone PLEASE take the microphone away from Futch. Perhaps better this music had remained in the Hidden Land. I will still buy unheard whatever this group releases, and will not miss a nearby performance, but will less welcome another release as new music instead of another expense of $15.
Free Music Review: A Great Imitation of Their Own Style
Hit: 1 Stars
Reading between the grooves, it sounds like there was a contractual obligation to produce a new album. Great playing. Innovative compositions. It's hard to pinpoint why these great musicians somehow just didn't manage to get this bird in the air. However, nothing about it really inspires, entertains or surprises.