Arcane Candy

Sean Noonan, a drummer known for his genre-bending approach, leads The Noonan Trio, a captivating ensemble that challenges conventional jazz expectations. With Michael Bardon on double bass and Matthew Bourne on piano, Noonan crafts a sonic world that’s equal parts playful and workful. His career is marked by a refusal to be pigeonholed, drawing inspiration from punk, classical, and avant-garde music, blending them into a unique and often unpredictable sound.

This eclectic approach is fully realized on his latest CD. Inherit a Memory is less a straightforward jazz album and more a collection of sonic vignettes, each offering a glimpse into Noonan’s idiosyncratic musical world. The album’s strength lies in its unpredictability, its willingness to veer off the worn path and explore unexpected sonic jungles. The album opens with “Drunken Landlady,” a jolt of energy that lives up to the description “jazz/punk rock hybrid.” A comparison to a blend of Conlon Nancarrow and Naked City is apt, capturing the track’s frenetic energy and complex rhythmic structures. This sets the tone for an album that refuses to settle into a comfortable groove, offering an overall atmosphere that is undeniably quirky yet often melancholic.

Within the confines of the title track “Inherit a Memory,” the trio tries on a homely hair shirt then lumbers around a gravy-filled graveyard. This imagery perfectly captures the album’s blend of introspection and offbeat humor. “White Light” is a particularly shambling song that sounds like it was played at a wobbly wedding reception, while ”Polly’s Eyes” leans into a melancholic vibe, with slow, deliberate tempos and spoken word passages that add a layer of narrative depth.

Noonan’s rhythmic prowess is on full display throughout the album. “Tell Me” showcases his drumming in a pitter-pattering solo that seamlessly transitions into a minor key piano ballad and then a burst of muted punk energy, demonstrating the trio’s ability to navigate diverse musical landscapes. “Stealing of Cream by Blue Tits” features spoken word elements, adding a storytelling dimension to the music, while “Aqua Diva” and “Crossroads” showcase the trio’s dynamic range, shifting between slow, contemplative passages and more energetic, upbeat sections.

“Wrinkles of Time” and “Crossroads” highlight the trio’s use of stop-start dynamics and free improvisation. These moments can be challenging, but they also offer some of the album’s most rewarding moments, forcing the listener to engage actively with the music. The album concludes with “Drop in a Cascade,” a sparse and quiet piece that offers a moment of respite after the album’s often turbulent journey.

Inherit a Memory is not for those seeking easy listening. It’s a challenging experience that demands close attention and rewards repeated listens. Noonan and his trio have created a unique and compelling work that defies categorization, showcasing their musical virtuosity and adventurous spirit. If you’re looking for an album that pushes boundaries and challenges expectations, Inherit a Memory is definitely worth exploring.

Label: Neuma Catalog Number: NEUMA 214 Format: CD Packaging: Mini-LP gatefold Tracks: 10 Total Time: 49:26 Country: United States Released: 2024 More: Official, YouTube

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This entry was posted on Thursday, November 28th, 2024 at 10:48 am and is filed under The Noonan Trio. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.