Review Summary: Do you like jazz?
Jazz is a genre that I've never been really fond of. I don't know what it is, but I've never really been drawn to the composition of such writing, which brings me to the point of this introduction. This is actually my first full length jazz album I've listened to, and what an album to introduce me. Everything I thought about jazz? Gone.
Coast, in composition and chemistry, is absolutely amazing. Each and every moment is filled with a fusion of jazz and almost subtle aggression, as if the music is driving and embedding itself into your mind.
When it comes to albums like these, you can't just pick apart one single song, but rather, you must analyze the entire album as a whole.
Coast is essentially just one giant contradiction, one moment the guitar and saxophone are playing off of each other, producing melodies relaxing to the ear, while at another moment the drumming takes its full force and delivers a rapid succession of fills and groove. The result of such a combination is the stimulation of the mind to construct the musical piece within the brain while remaining soothing to the ear. While the guitars, saxophone, and drums all take on their roles in ultimate fashion, several intricacies surround the already instrumentally fluid pieces, further amplifying their tone to another tier. Hidden beneath the melodies of the notes and the beats of the drums lies an ambiance that enhances the tonality of this jazz fusion. Keys and synths take the harmonies and provide another level of musicianship, one that shows and gentle, calm side of the music. An atmosphere mixed with modern (synths) and classical (keys), this fusion of juxtaposition shows the diversity of
Coast and the band's ability to create an album of duality.
It's definitely worth taking a look at each instrument as they all play an important role in creating this magnificent record. The guitar often follows the same basic scales as you would find in any other jazz album. The flow of these notes are fluid like a wave, much like the cover indicates, as the strings vibrate and hum the rising and falling pitches. When not alone, the guitar is often accompanied by the saxophone buzzing out the same scales as the guitar, working almost as a dual guitar dynamic. In a similar way, the sax also takes the spotlight in its respective times, producing a break from the strings and provides a fresh breathe of brass. Supporting these two is an underlying bass that goes unnoticeable, but it provides a bass line baseline that amplifies the overall tonality. Complementing these melodic instruments is the groove maintainer. Flowing with technicality and creativity, the beats crafted are full of tempo changes, rolled fills, and of course, the utilization of ride-snare-bass coordination that moves oh so swiftly through the music. The combination of each instrument into one sound is phenomenal, establishing a record of diversity, familiarity, and talent.
Coast is nothing like I prefer to listen to, but everything I needed to hear. Although jazz has never been a top priority in my life, this album has proven otherwise. Even if jazz isn't your cup of tea,
Coast may be an exception. There's just something about this that draws you back in every now and again, yearning to hear that sweet fusion once more. So sit back, relax, and float in the swelling ocean of
Coast.
