Review Summary: By far one of the best releases my ears have been treated to in a long while. Worth the time and the money, as it never gets stale or boring, only better, more innovative, and more complex a treasure upon each listen.
Throughout our years of life, we have gained the cognizance that, despite what others may falsely believe to be true, humans are not omnipotent and we never will be, for as we learn more doors of knowledge open, and infinite knowledge is impossible. If we find the cure to the horrid disease titled cancer, we will also need to find a way to find those resources, and then alternative resources when those resources run out. We also will face new illnesses, new wants and desires, new types of augmentation. And if one believes that something is perfect, someone else will find that all is not so perfect, and they will attempt to learn how to fix these problems. And because of this, knowledge is like a field of corn that grows perpetually. And it is here where we learn that juxtaposing genres to the point of complete insanity is not disgusting torture that only a sadist can exult in, but the average man, the norm of the world can exult in this musical innovation called “Naked City.”
This uncompromising, relentless affair is the epitome of original, as the album as a whole not only juxtaposes just about every genre created in the past century or two, but as a result, creates an entirely new style of music. To describe this new musical innovation, one must allow the thought of extremely high shrieks to enter a score alongside fast-paced, fee jazz dominated by alto-saxophone. After several seconds of that, random keyboard breaks will continue to appear throughout this track, as the rest of the band plays spasmodically over intense shrieking. One will have to allow the drums to play at a breakneck speed whilst enabling the music to remain (barely) stable at all times. This explosion of chaos would also have to break every musical boundary constructed. Saxophones will now screech and squeal rather than fall and crescendo. Drums will now blast-beat and then become non-existent; they will be here one second, then gone in a flash. What was once a calm and diaphanous symphony will now turn into a noisy cavalcade of instrumentation in a fraction of a fraction of a second. And instead of being hackneyed and contrite experimentation, this innovation seems one hundred percent bona fide. From the spastic shrieks to the guttural grunts, the shrieking guitar tremolos to the dissonant simplicity performed on said instrument, to the squealing falls executed on the saxophone, the recurring themes of reggae and trance music, and the frenetic, intense drumming skills, everything sounds passionate, and everything sounds endearing.
The strangest, most passionate, tracks are: “Lonely Woman”; “Snagglepuss”; “The James Bond Theme”; “Chinatown”; and “Punk China Doll.” The first of these is an extremely bizarre track that differs entirely from the original version, which is already bizarre and rambunctious. “Snagglepuss” alternates between loud, spastic grind music with jazz attributes, to jazz music fit for a game show. “The James Bond Theme” explodes into a noisy affair in the middle of the song; “Chinatown” takes an interesting take on Jerry Goldsmith's composition. “Punk China Doll” has a roller-coaster ride of jazz eccentricities meshing with Yamatsuka Eye's wonderfully abnormal vocal stylings and some grindcore-based musicianship. The track then segues awkwardly into a serene, post-rock soundscape that explores the tranquil side of Naked City's self-titled album.
Overall, this is a fantastic record complete with every musical extreme that has been constructed, and an expansion on several of those extremities portrayed. Each moment on this record is completely original and innovative. The music is technical and thought-provoking the whole way through, oftentimes exploring any genre that it can, and switching its focus spasmodically. This is a record apposite for those in pursuit of the craziest, most technical, most spastic, heaviest, most innovative and original musical release generated, and is sure to whirl heads upon first listen.
FINAL RATING-4.9/5-By far one of the best releases my ears have been treated to in a long while. Worth the time and the money, as it never gets stale or boring, only better, more innovative, and more complex a treasure upon each listen.
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