Is There Anything About?

Apparently clouded in controversy, as one reviewer put it, is Brand X’s album Is There Anything About? that was released as a contractual obligation just before the bands demise (until later in the 90’s).

 

The album seems to be a pick-a-part job taken from previous albums and lengthened by keyboardist Robin Lumley. The result is a mostly atmospheric album that features a lot of very boring contemporary jazz-lite stuff that has the smell of sci-fi inspired quirkiness that most fans declined. 

 

For me, this is my third Brand X review. Not really a great follow up to Missing period, which has so far been my favorite of the trio of albums I was sent for review. Missing period was a fun jazz fusion dose of cool that could have easily been the inspiration for bands like Medeski, Martin & Wood or even some of the Beastie Boys more funky groove laden tunes.  It was fast in parts, slow but substance filled in others, while this album simply falls limp from the get go. 

 

Now, I understand if you’re a professional Jazz musicians and can appreciate the technique and style on the album. I would never say that the band ever feels like they don’t know what their doing. Unfortunately a majority of it sounds like sound check or experimentation. I really couldn’t find my place within the music, no real connection and, from what I’ve read, I’m not alone. The only way to know for sure is to check it out for yourself.