Sunday Album Review ~ Billy Martin And John Medeski: MAGO

I find it difficult to review instrumental music. As a writer of songs (get an album’s worth of my material here FOR FREE), sometimes lyric-less songs leave me flat. As a writer of poetry also, I am drawn to the lyrics. Since I can’t focus on that for MAGO, I’ll analyze the song titles and how they relate to the music.

1. Introducing Mago ~ Always good to start with an intro. Actually, I think more bands/albums should start with an into.

2. Crustaceatron ~ The lead-off single that sounds like its name: slightly oceanic with a wicked undertow.

3. Mojet ~ A clever spin on motet (I assume). This is one of the more old-school sounding jazz songs on the record.

4. Apology ~ There is nothing to apologize for here. This track reminds me of stuff you might hear at a minor league baseball game to juice up the crowd as the home team falls further and further behind.

5. Bamboo Pants ~ Some people think bamboo could be the new cotton. I would love a pair of bamboo pants. If you happen to have a pair in 36×30, leave a hullabaloo and we can work something out.

6. Thundercloud ~ I think this could actually be titled “Thunderstorm” as I hear the lightning, the driving rain and the winds.

7. Bonfa ~ I think Bonfa was the name of some super-villan in a mid-70s Blaxploitation flick. At least this song would fit in one of those soundtracks.

8. Safak ~ One of the slower jamz on the album. Confused by title.

9. Miss Teardrop ~ I think I met this girl once when I work at a Borders. She was always on the verge of crying. Didn’t know there was a song about her.

10. Syncretism ~ Had to use Wiki to look this one up: “Syncretism consists of the attempt to reconcile disparate or contradictory beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought.” One could argue that this is the perfect description of the type of music found on MAGO. But I’m not that guy.

11. L’Aventura ~ Perfect song for an adventure. In fact, go on one now!

12. Bamboo Pants (Short and Raw Version) ~ I prefer shorts to pants anyways.

Rating:
Ideal Background Music =
Gish