s0nic 0penings under pressure
CIMP #305
Altoist brennan is a guy whose stock really ought to be higher. And the group is versatile enough to explore the extremes of silence, full shouting, and drone material as well. This is great stuff, and one of the finest Spirit Room documents I’ve heard in a while.
Jason Bivins
Cadence, December, 2004
patrick brennan’s erudite and fascinating liner notes reveal an artist who knows who he is and what he is doing.
All Music Guide
This is simply a superior musical endeavor featuring a rare musical vision performed at the highest level in the market.
All About Jazz New York
brennan’s sophistication makes for fun with its warping of time and the crisscrossing capers of the horns. If only all crooked dogs has so much character, and so much humor.
Bad Alchemy
brennan guides his quartet with skill through complicated scores that leave the just the right space for expert improvisation.
All About Jazz
This CD may be more your thing than it was mine: dynamically reflective, exploring blues ideas in an often arresting fashion, easily conversational in approach with some fireworks. Your call.
Jazz Now
brennan’s talents are certainly worthy of the double-shot afforded them here—hopefully there’s a sizeable audience out there listening and more record dates lie waiting in the wings.
One Final Note
The tricky compositions feel heavy with structural pretensions. The playing has great commitment but the results sound oddly tired.
The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD