The Necks - Open

The Necks - Open (2013)

Chris Abrahams: piano
Tony Buck: Drums
Lloyd Swanton: bass

Listening to a recording by the Australian trio The Necks is akin to over- hearing a conversation between two giant sequoia trees. While humans might not perceive the growth and movement of the trees, mom and pop Sequoiadendron giganteum might comment, "Little Billy sure has sprouted up these past 400 years, he's outgrown all his school clothes, again!"

Open is the 17th album by pianist Chris Abrahams, drummer Tony Buck and bassist Lloyd Swanton. The band returns to their modus operandi, like their initial 1989 recording Sex (Private Music, 1995). Playing one long meditative piece (68 minutes), the trio utilizes slight and subtle changes, plus a pulse that could only be described as sequoia dance music. Not quite minimalism, nor ambient, the stillness they perfect is best described as smoldered improvisation.

After releasing the busy (by their standards) Mindset (ReR, 2011), this disc follows a stillness, albeit one with touches of electronics, electric guitar, and maybe a dulcimer. Opening with the ringing of a dulcimer (or is that the piano's insides?) the slow unraveling of sound begins. Wind chimes are rung as if the direction the band might take is left up to atmospheric pressure. However, after 25 years together, The Necks' music could never be describes as serendipitous.

Separately, each player can be found in the company of major players of creative music. Chris Abrahams collaborated with Alessandro Bosetti, Jason Kahn, and Burkhard Beins. Tony Buck plays in Trophies (with Bosetti), and with the likes of Otomo Yoshihide, Aki Takase, Axel Dorner, Christian Fennesz, and John Butcher. Swanton's bass can be heard in The Catholics, and with Jim O'Rourke and Michiyo Yagi.

In trio is where they produce nonpareil music.

Their unhurried approach is spread thick into this ponderous music. The sounds are easy to get lost in: surprise comes in the form of cymbal work, the odd bass riff and the twinkling of piano keys. The sounds are only perceived once you submit yourself to the lifestyle of old growth trees.

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[EsotericHighway]

This album is special.

Has a transcendental quality throughout.

[lol]

Can I just say, the work up to the ending ten minutes is well worth it. You hear the mottos throughout and then for it all to come together at the end and manifest as a garden of sound absorbing you into the landscape. You hear the almost snake like rattles and hissing mists. It's like guiding through a dream. Absolutely breathtaking.

[nickjanczak]

Huge dynamic contrasts and beautiful minimalism... I'm blown away by this band, they never get boring.

[davelanciani-dimaensionx]

I learned about this band thru Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness. I am now a fan, and will be pursuing more of their music. And maybe copying their approach a bit for my own music.

[samuelsauveur]

The part from 23:00 till 28:00 is just pure bliss. So so relaxing. The way all the sounds clear up and everything becomes so clean again.. Such a pleasure for the mind and ear. Everything else around you just disappears for a while, it's like some kind of meditation. It's just perfect.

[mjcussen]

It will be a smash hit down at the relaxation clinic

[johnfoster]

once again, dancing in my mind's aisles

[mesmeriffic]

Beautiful. These guys make the best background music.

[emiliolio]

takes me to so many different planes and spaces.

[dgajsek]

Finally found this again. I remember listening to this few years ago but the name of the band slipped off my mind. Love the minimalism. I would also suggest Dakota Suite (especially The Hears of Empty album) if someone is into this kind of music.

[mmg-kx]

pure musical transcendentalism, wholly realised, for those willing to notice

[choppa-vjen]

what a transcendental journey. music can give us a true hope.

[paulhmull]

Just bought this for the car. Not cheap, one song, jaysus (deserve every penny)

[Ermengolprimer]

Congratulations for the record ! It's a kind of music suitable for many things. I really love it. What is more: Improvisation allways have "something" that links straight to the listener's soul, something you coudn't tell but is a sense of trueness...

[PetraKann]

More Magical sound sculptures by the improv masters

[beehomeguesthouses]

quelque part entre jazz, post-rock et ambient.

[bernarddurand]

A écouter dans le noir. Pas besoin de fumer quoi que ce soit

[corydontodd]

Might be there greatest work just sayin