Fission

Fission Artist: Jens & Anders Johansson , Shawn Lane , and Mike Stern
Label: Shrapnel
Category: Music


Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1


UPC: 026245111820
EAN: 0026245111820
ASIN: B00000606D


Release Date: 1998-03-24

Fission


Related Categories:

General General
Categories | Jazz | Styles | Music
General General
Categories | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock Pop Rock
Categories | Pop | Styles | Music

Tracks:

  1. Hooded Strangers
  2. Phase Camouflage
  3. Zero Sum Game
  4. Acrostic Shibboleth
  5. Don't Mention The War
  6. Race Condition
  7. Crowd Tectonics
  8. Nystagmus
  9. Beautiful Lung Dogs

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Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars 8 better than average tracks out 9 ain't bad. .......2005-06-26

"Hooded Strangers" is catchy enough to be worthy of it's first track status...however, at almost 11 min. long, it's marred by a heavily repeated chorus.

The 2 bluesier tracks: "Race Condition" and "Acrostic Shibboleth" have a very similar groove (so much so that I had to check to see if my CD player was repeating tracks). When scrutinized, they are, overall, both substantially different.

Shawn Lane only plays on 2 tracks...which, even without Mike Stern's guitar contributions, is relatively a lot for guesting on a solo album. Shawn shreds (as usual) and Mike's style is strategically placed...although I'm not a big fan of his flanger-ladden tone.

I could have done without the last track, which is comprised of all sound effects: etherial and spooky/horrific sequences created on a vintage Korg "Polysix" synth; combined with assorted samples and dialog from old movies.

This CD has plenty of well developed/cool grooves, impressive jazz fussion, trippy synth sequences, shredding guitar, great drums by Anders and, of course, excellent keys by Jens. It's not my favorite album, but it does get played - I'm happy with the purchase.

5 out of 5 stars Fusion demons.......2003-05-21

I like this album very much. It is a consistent and imaginative recording. From a musical standpoint this one stands in the same league with all the fusion post modern release but it has a kind of originality of its own. It seems to come from outer space. Keys sounds are amazing. Similar to the sounds you may find in the first Dream Theater album. Better not to talk about Shawn Lane. He blows here with the usual fury and abandon. Lane is unreachable. He stands in a category of his own. Stern is quite good too, but taken apart from standard jazz progression and more common fusion pedals he seems a little out of phase, out of place here. It seems that he doesn't know very well what to do, how to phrase after a solo from that monster that is Shawn Lane. But Stern is always Stern after all. He seems more confortable here where he can plays his trademark bends and be bop influenced phrases. Anyway in the end there's a sort of balance between the two guitar players: more soulful Stern, speed of light mind and fingers from Lane. Jens Johanssen the keyboard player for those of you who don't know who he is, plays the bass too. Strong level. Compositions are articulate, in different tempos, but they maintain a sort of freshness and spontaneity. It is a long album to listen to from the beginning to the end. Probably due to its complexity and richness it needs a quite interested ear. I mean you can probably appreciate it better if you shred it in two or three listening sessions. I know it is an hard to find record. But it deserves the attention of the fusion enthusiast, and of the musicians community in general.

5 out of 5 stars Spring for the extra track........2000-02-17

I'm going to keep this breif, cause I'm sick at the moment. But I love this CD. Sounds like Jaco on bass, but it's all covered by the amazing Jens. Mike Stern and Shawn Lane are tearing it up on this! The import has a bonus track that's 10 min, and it smokes! Go for the gusto!

4 out of 5 stars

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  5. The Black and Red Notebook ~ David Kitt
  6. Pictures of Matchstick Men ~ Status Quo
  7. Coaster ~ The Bobs
  8. Ghost of Romance/Shambara ~ Dead End
  9. Morning Dew ~ Morning Dew
  10. Peter Gabriel ~ Peter Gabriel

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