The Nels Cline Singers

For many, the name Nels Cline has recently sparked in familiarity by reason of his new gig in a little band called Wilco. Before playing second banana to Jeff Tweedy, Cline had practically re-written the book on experimental guitar, with countless progressive contributions that garnered his label by Jazz Times as "The world’s most dangerous guitarist." On The Giant Pin, his second release with The Nels Cline Singers, Cline, minus any hint of singers or vocals, makes dangerous with this brew of moody jazz, mixing noise atop melodies while keeping his themes surprisingly consistent.

Cline, along with a core group featuring Devin Hoff on acoustic bass and Scott Amendola on various drums and electronics, improvise freely, incorporating mood and thought into inventive and sometimes startling sounds. These are challenging and inventive compositions, unraveling key themes that challenge the patience and attentiveness of one's ears and mind.

"Fly Fly" features a torch ringing guitar trick that has Cline generating weapon effects, firing off sporadic sounds that signify static and danger. "He Still Carries A Torch" starts off with power rock tenacity, before diving into tricky sound effects, proving Amendola is as prolific behind the board as he is behind the kit. Spirited by guest keyboardist Jon Brion, the ten-minute "Something About David H." is a sonic voyage that explores psychedelic ambient ground, while "Bright Moon" is low key minimalist jazz that floats around unhurriedly as it noodles and transcends its way to the eleven minute mark. Consequently, "Square King" offers punch you in the face garage rock, with menacing chords and drums, further prodding the album's mood swings.

Perhaps lengthy as a whole, The Giant Pin provides many different territories to explore and examine – both serene, dark, traditional and sonic. These new experiments will be lauded by experimental music fans, but probably blindsided by less patient listeners, as well as Wilco’s pre-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot fan base.