The Necks, Mindset (2011)

I first heard The Necks when attending a concert in 2002. It was gob-smackingly good. I sat in the front row, mesmerised. I’d heard about them – done some research since I was reviewing the show. This Aussie trio mostly stuck to the rule of creating one long track – roughly an hour in length – and though everyone called them a “jazz trio” or “experimental jazz trio” there were ideas that came from minimalist and electronic forms too. And there wasn’t often anything jazz about it apart from the instrumentation: piano, bass, drums. Improvisers who built the tune as it unfolded in front of them and the audience. I bought some of their albums at the gig and then continued to buy them from there, keeping up with their releases. Any trip to Australia would result in a new Necks purchase. A box-set of live albums one time, a double-album of contrasts another. And I’ve been lucky, over the last half-decade, to get most of their latest releases to review. Mindset is the first Necks album released on vinyl – and for vinyl. The band playing to the medium by offering two pieces, one per side – it’s very much a case of contrast – or two different mindsets. Rum Jungle bursts from the blocks and is relentless. Side two (Daylights) trickles in to place in a style (more) similar to some other Necks offerings; similar but different. But then that’s the Necks with every release: similar but (utterly) different. Go to YouTube where you can hear the entire album Drive By (one of my absolute favourites). Go to the band’s site and check out more. Hopefully they’ll return to NZ this year. It’s been talked about a bit over the last few months. It was the most amazing show. I fell in love with their sound instantly. And in Tony Buck you will hear (and see) a very creative drummer, an explorer of the kit. But Lloyd Swanton’s bass and Chris Abrahams’ piano are every bit as crucial and exploratory. So I was excited about Mindset being available on vinyl – I really had to get it. I was given it as a Christmas present by some Australian-based relatives. One of the best Christmas presents I’ve ever been given – and the first time I’ve been given a record – an actual LP – for Christmas. I can only hope it’s the start of a tradition…

Sample Track: Daylights (Part 1 of 2)/Daylights (Part 2 of 2)

The Vinyl Countdown is a document of every LP I listen to, brand new discoveries and old-old favourites; extremely pre-loved, previously abandoned or with the shrink-wrap having just been removed it’s all here at The Vinyl Countdown