Spaced Out - s/t
(Unicorn)
I gave this CD a rating of one out of a possible of twelve, but the truth
is, I really sort of wanted to give it a twelve. I just can't decide if
it's awful or amazing. For one thing, the cover features a
painting which SEEMS to be of a screeching eagle on the surface of a far
off planet. Is that awful or amazing? I don't know. Next, flip the CD
over and look at the names of some of their songs: "A Freak Az," "Magnetyzme,"
"Futurosphere," "Glassosphere." Awful or amazing? A little of both, I think.
If that isn't enough, maybe you should have a look at a selection from
their bio:
Firstly, this is a very mature debut, the debut of a high quality.
Secondly, this is a very original album in all meanings. Some people will
be considering "Spaced Out" a work of a pure Jazz Fusion/Jazz Rock genre
and, thus, they become the "victims" of self-delusion. Because this is a
brilliant example of how to create a Jazz Fusion album, using only the
laws of Classic Art Rock, ie the laws of European Classical music with its
symphonic harmonic series, sonatas, etc. So, thirdly, this is a very
innovative album.
Well, whatever other conclusions I might come to about Spaced Out, I was
sure there had to be some review of their work here in fakejazz. After
all they attempt to resurrect, for good or ill, the sounds of such great
fusion groups as Return to Forever, with all the attendant weird, tacky
references to sci-fi and fantasy themes, but (once again quoting from
their press packet), "Despite the album has an obvious 'jazzy' spirit it's
clear even at the first sight (listening) that all improvisations here are
just pseudo improvisations as each of them was in reality thoroughly
composed." In other words Spaced Out is the real thing AT LAST--the
first group that I have (or possibly anybody has) reviewed for fakejazz
that is really and truly FAKE JAZZ.
Whatever. It turns out I give it a one. No matter how you look at
it fakejazz just sucks.
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