Man Forever – Play What They Want (Thrill Jockey Records)
LP / CD / DL
Out Now
7.5 / 10
John Colpitts aka Kid Millions aka Ma Forever is no ordinary
percussionist. Varied drum patterns and
arrangements provide incredible interest and plenty to absorb as new album Play
What They Want clearly demonstrates.
With the addition of several artists on the album including
harpist Marry Lattimore, Yo La Tengo, Ben Lanz (Sufjan Stevens) and Phil Manley
(Trans AM), the proverbial goalposts are somewhat moved to make the hypnotic
drum patterns true works of delight.
Opener, You Were Never Here is case in point as its continual
drum loop has slowly introduced voices, synth effect and offbeat piano
eventually reaching a quite dramatic pinnacle.
Ten Thosuand Things meanwhile sees a far more melodic affair with voices
taking centre stage and a hook that is difficult to shake off even after few
listens.
The twenty-five year career of Colpitts has taken in appearances
with the likes of Oneida, White Hills and Spiritualized and has clearly given a
boost to each project making him one of New York most acclaimed percussionists. The frenetic beginning to Debt And Greed
never seems to let up and once more has a genuinely addictive vocal and brass
section, and at little over three minutes (the shortest track on the album)
bursts with light and effervescence throughout.
With Twin Torches comes the undoubted highlight of the
album. Laurie Anderson steps up to the
mark and exudes her clear genius in a track that never ceases to impress. A complex rhythmic backdrop compliments her spoken
voice perfectly together with off-key voices randomly inserted at seemingly
perfect opportunity. It’s a journey
rather than a piece of music and is nothing short of brilliant.
On an album that defies genre classification the word ‘alternative’
truly comes to mind, album closer Catenary Smile is maybe as ambient as a percussionist
can get. Drums are distant but continual
and a wall of gentle sounds pervades to turbulent end.
Listen to Twin Torches on the Thrill Jockey website HERE.
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