American Garage

Artist: Pat Metheny Group
Label: Ecm Records
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 042282713421
EAN: 0042282713421
ASIN: B0000261LA

Release Date: 1999-11-16

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Tracks:

(Cross The) Heartland
Airstream
The Search
American Garage
The Epic

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Customer Reviews:

At the Crossroads..........2007-01-08

When you're gradually becoming a top-dog musician, you're constantly experimenting with different techniques to improve your craft so that you finally find a voice that pleases both your fans and yourself. It's not a painless process, and despite the fact that they're one of the greatest jazz bands of the modern era and it doesn't seem like they've ever encountered imperfection's ugly face, the Pat Metheny Group had to endure the same struggle.

It's not that "American Garage" is a bad album. In fact, it's quite good, and there are some tracks in its surprisingly short selection that have withstood the test of time despite the somewhat dated production. But the history behind this album is rooted in contention. Metheny has repeatedly remarked that this is his least favorite album that he's ever made with the Group: it was too commercial and the collaborative writing with his partner-in-benevolent-crime ('cause it's almost a crime that he's so good), keyboarding prodigy Lyle Mays, lacked focus and direction. Also, the lineup changes that were made shortly afterwards, such as the replacement of borderline Jaco Pastorius imitator Mark Egan, reflect perhaps a sense of falling out from within.

You can't blame them for wanting to make an effort to reach out to a mass audience, which seems to be the case judging from its heavy emphasis on rock 'n' roll. I mean, come on, their first record is a classic, and they HAD to capitalize on a follow-up. Despite Metheny's complaints, this is an album that is worth the listen. It opens up with a jazz/roots rocker "(Cross the) Heartland", a strong jazz-rocker, riddled with complex rhythms and rousing piano and synths. I'm not gonna lie, and I know that PMG is referred to as "great music to listen to while driving", but "Heartland" fits that bill quite nicely. Its follow-up "Airstream" is a favorite of Metheny's, and even though I hated it at first, it has definitely grown on me with repeated listening. It's refreshing to hear an early Mays establish a balance between left and right-hand playing (he returns to right-hand dependency on the soothing yet somewhat dwindling "The Search"), and the tune of the song almost sounds like "After the Love Has Gone" by Earth, Wind, and Fire.

The title track is a rowdy, freewheeling, almost gospel-rocker, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't think I've heard the band be this loose before. You can even hear some cries of almost frat-boy delight as Metheny lets loose on the axe, and sometimes I could just picture all of them standing in front of a giant American flag. The final piece "The Epic" is certainly what it is, a 13-minute long jam that goes from atmospheric post-bop jazz to hot samba back to atmospheric post-bop jazz to pop to hot samba and then Springsteen-esque rock. It's all over the place, and while parts of it are certainly enjoyable, particularly Mays's and Metheny's smoking hot solos in the samba section, I think this and "The Search" were what Metheny was talking about when he meant a lack of focus. Nevertheless, they're still very strong tunes, and I think Metheny doesn't give himself enough credit. "American Garage" is a entertaining romp that sees the Group let their hair down a little bit, if you get my drift. I wouldn't call it essential, but I wouldn't pass it up, either. It's a bunch of virtuosos having some good fun, and that's an American way.

GRADE: B+

Oh, by the way, I'm sick of people calling the Pat Metheny Group's music "Weather Channel music". I know music is a matter of personal taste, but calling it that undermines their musical virtuosity. Muzak helped destroy the public's perception of the great American art of jazz.

GRADE FOR MUZAK: D- (salvaged from "F" because at least they recognize Kenny G as their posterboy.)

An adventure of my own.......2006-11-10

Purchase this just because I like Pat Metheny. I was not familiar with this CD, I purchased this on a chance. It is a good buy if you are a PM fan.

JUST SMILE AND HANG OUT WITH INTELLIGENT PEOPLE.......2006-08-09

Ranks among Pat Metheny's very best. I would recommend AMERICAN GARAGE to almost anyone who wants to get a taste of jazz as it came out of the "lost years" of the 1970's. There are some sounds among these pieces that would become a part of the "smooth jazz" movement as it would become known in the 1990's; but there is nothing to fear about for being accused of being "light weight" or "diluted" that drew the wrath of jazz heads toward the endless parade of phonies that so many felt "stole" attention and record purchases away from real jazz.

Far from dreary, AMERICAN GARAGE sings of joy and provides much to interest upon repeated listening. Metheny would go on to be a small jazz industry in himself in succeeding years and his musical vocabulary would expand--sometimes not for the better. Nevertheless, this is the perfect marriage of electric guitar and keyboards many still seek today. Only five cuts; but pleasing and intelligent all the same.

One Of His Best!!!.......2005-12-25

I have listened to Pat Metheny for almost 3 decades. I have found most of his earlier works a bit more interesting to listen to. The songs are more melodic and he didn't use all that guitar synthesizer sound nearly as much. Despite the recording and production of this CD...the songs (Cross The) Heartland, Airstream, and The Epic are among the best on this particuliar CD. Certainly, this will have to rate as one of Metheny's best!!!

American Garage...............2005-09-03

I've listened to numerous musical recordings by the PMG from age 10 until present day. "The Search" was and still is one of my favorite recordings. A reviewer said that he likes to listen to the PMG while traveling. From his description, while listening, he's instantly transported into a movie like setting. Back in the day, circa 1978 or 80, I was really in love with life, my family, friends and the thought of just being alive. The last time I heard this song was about a year ago or so. Still to this very day, I can remember as a child, closing my eyes, listening to this particular tune, and envisioning how life should be. (And then I grew up and soon came to the realization that life most definitely is cable of throwing a couple of curve balls now and then. Seems more often that not sometimes.) Never the less, I still enjoy this song for its worth and to me, it's worth the memories that I once had and the memories that are yet to come. ( ^ _ ^ )

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