Spy vs Spy by John Zorn

Some albums are not easy to listen to, not for the subject matter, but simply because the form of the music is so far outside of your regular comfort zone. Extreme forms of thrash metal or avant garde experimental pieces are the usual examples, but in this case it’s a John Zorn with a blast of free jazz riffing off pieces by Ornette Colman as seen though the lens of thrashcore punk.

These are all short tracks and the first impression is of a relentless sonic assault, but this definitely repays giving it your full attention so that you can make sense of what is happening. Listening on headphones is a must, not least because you will probably get some funny looks from anyone else who hears this, but also because there are two alto saxophones at work here on opposite sides of the sound stage - Tim Berne on the left channel and John Zorn on the right.

The effect is a little bit like the classic duelling banjos piece, where they lay down challenges and try to top each other (or sometimes just see who can honk the loudest).

Nice!

YouTube playlist