Gift

You may not like this if you just go for the hardcore side of Zorn, but this is a beautiful and interesting recording. Highly recommended.


The quiet dream of a jazz-thrash artist   October 26, 2003
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Zorn's reputation comes from his noisy cut-up music. It seems like he's either recording a complex collage of sound effects or he's squealing his way through a Masada improv. From Painkiller to Leng T'che, the guy knows how to melt a speaker or two.

This album --- a collection of beautiful, playful melodies --- seems to be out of character. But it's not. Scattered throughout the massive Zorn catalogue are dozens of songs like these. Just
listen to Bar Kokhba or his soundtrack to Port of Last Resort and you'll see he's been here before.

The real step forward on this album is an eerie tension that underlies every song. Somehow, there's a *threat* lurking in the surf music and the gentle trumpet solos. Is it in the composition, or should we credit the musicians? I have no idea. I just know that after the sixth or seventh time I heard this album, I heard more than pretty background music.


"Easy" listening?!?   January 8, 2003
John Zorn and "easy listening"?? Those are words I never thought would be in the same sentence together, and yet here they are. The music contained on this album is very light and dreamy and yet there is still something a little off kilter about the whole thing. What exactly that is, I'm not quite sure. Maybe it's the fact that such calm, relaxing music is combined with album art that is quite bizarre and disturbing. In any event, "The Gift" makes for an interesting listen no matter where you are or what you're doing.


A beautiful piece of art with a very sinister reverse side   October 28, 2002
It's very intelligible why some people find this album offensive. It is indeed quite provoking in many ways. On the other hand, it's a shame people have to flood these outbursts here where they might be seen as proper criticism.

The musical style or the medium is something Zorn is no doubt very familiar with: 50's "Surf music". Musically speaking it's all easy, cool and serene and that's exactly the thing that makes it all work so well as a whole. If you never saw the covers and maybe never played the last couple of tracks, chances are you would never understand what the album is about.

The "package" is not what it appears to be. That is the message both visually and musically.

Some people take this personally and as I said it's only natural, but in my opinion the message is intended for all humankind. The history is filled with eras that could be subjected to the same kind of criticism. Who knows, maybe all of history could, but here Zorn gave the 50's a piece of its share.


intoxicating   June 8, 2002
This album is probably Zorn's most accessible album. It ends up a little bit flat in my opinion, but its definitely interesting, and you can play it in mixed company.

The album art is offensive and just plain dumb. I am sure Z thinks he's being sarcastic or sophisticated in some way but its really just plain stupid and offensive for no reason. Absolutely no reason to mock torture, rape and other such violence when it really happens to people. It shows profound disrespect for what real people have gone through. Its unfortunate because it gets in the way of taking this artist seriously. Its incredibly immature ultimately - like a kid snickering over scatological jokes. I am surprised sometimes that the other musicians are willing to sign on to his projects.

Shock is also one of the cheapest and easiest emotions to bring forth. The music fortunately is alot more sophisticated.

That said I am a big fan of his music and he has many works that are just outstanding in every way.

This is a good place to start as it is very digestible.