Style: American Primitivism, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Raga
Vibe: Mystical, Nature, Open, Passionate, Pastoral, Peaceful, Airy, Contemplative, Earthy, Impressionistic, Meditative, Morning, Spring, Spiritual,
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Indian-Influenced, Sparse, Technical
Tag: Impressionistic
Susan Alcorn Quintet – Pedernal
Style: Avant-Chamber Jazz, Poly-Free Improvisation
Vibe: Abstract, Open, Suspenseful
Musical Attributes: Thematic Collective Improvisation, Instrumental
Instrumentation: Slide Guitar, Violin, Electric Guitar, Drums, Upright Bass
The Same – The Same
LP, Originally released in 1981 by Unlikely Records Freedom to Spend Reissue (2021) Style: Ambient Pop, Experimental Home Recording, Minimal … More
Wadada Leo Smith – Spirit Catcher
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Chamber Jazz, Modern Creative Music
Vibe: Intertwined, Open, Patient, Flowing, Noir, Suspenseful, Spiritual, Communal, Abstract
Musical Qualities: Poly-Free Improvisation, Polyphonic, Acoustic, Complex, Instrumental, Dynamic
Instrumentation: Trumpet (muted), Harp, Vibraphone, Upright Bass, Clarinet, Trombone, Wooden Flute, Drums, Saxophone, Flugelhorn
Loren Connors – Blues: The “Dark Paintings” of Mark Rothko
Style: Ambient Blues, Solo Electric Guitar
Vibe: Longing, Soothing, Nocturnal, Impressionistic, Lonely, Meditative, Melancholy, Suspenseful,
Musical Qualities: Sparse, Improvisation (solo), Atmospheric, Instrumental, Lo-fi
Muhal Richard Abrams – Colors in Thirty-Third
Style: Creative Music, Chamber Jazz, Free Jazz, Post-Bop
Vibe: Colorful, Sentimental, Impressionistic, Eclectic, Energetic, Introspective
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Dynamic, Poly-free Improvisation, Complex, Spacious
Mogwai – Rave Tapes
Style: Post-Rock, Space Rock, Electronic-Rock, Kosmische-Influenced
Vibe: Futuristic, Nocturnal, Mechanical, Focused, Cinematic, Restrained
Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Dynamic, Pulse, Studio-as-an-Instrument
L’Rain – Fatigue
Style: Free Pop, Progressive R&B, Psychedelic Soul, Art Pop, Gospel-Influenced
Vibe: Woozy, Ethereal, Cryptic, Impressionistic, Heartfelt, Imaginative, Dramatic, Dreamy, Eclectic
Musical Attributes: Progressive, Lush, Vocal Manipulation, Sampling, Vignettes, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Groovy, Collage
Eberhard Weber’s Colours – Silent Feet
Style: Chamber Jazz, ECM Jazz
Vibe: Impressionistic, Peaceful, Lush, Triumphant, Climactic, Open, Airy, Bright
Musical Attributes: Progressive, Acoustic, Instrumental, Melodic, Improvisation (Structured, Chordal), Dynamic, Technical
Instrumentation: Upright Bass, Soprano Sax, Piano, Drums
Slint – Spiderland
Style: Post-Rock, Math Rock, Post-Hardcore, Slowcore
Vibe: Angsty, Angular, Cold, Heavy, Impressionistic, Suspenseful
Lyrical Themes: Alienation, Existential, Poetic, Storytelling
Musical Attributes: Dynamic, Slow, Dissonant, Raw, Repetitive
Tortoise – TNT
Style: Post-Rock, Experimental Rock
Influences: Dub, Kosmische Musik, Bossa Nova, Lounge, Minimalism, Jazz, Electronic
Vibe: Contemplative, Eclectic, Focused, Futuristic, Impressionistic, Lush, Meditative, Peaceful, Soothing
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Complex, Digital Production, Percussive, Polyphonic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Loops, Headphone Album, Rhythmic, Pulse, Instrumental, Progressive, Polished
Ezra Feinberg – Recumbent Speech
Style: Post-Rock, Post-Minimalism, Progressive Folk
Influences: Kosmische Musik, American Primitive Guitar, Minimalism
Vibe: Airy, Nocturnal, Pastoral, Peaceful, Focused, Imaginative, Impressionistic, Contemplative, Warm
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Instrumental, Progressive, Pulse, Odd Time Signatures, Pulse, Dynamic, Headphone Album, Minimalistic
Spencer Zahn – Sunday Painter
Composer and upright bassist Spencer Zahn crafts a peaceful album of impressionistic and pastoral jazz that recalls Talk Talk, ECM Records, In a Silent Way, and Bill Frisell. The atmospheres are open and washy thanks to sweeping piano gestures and Dave Harrington’s guitar loopery, while the slow, rolling rhythms of drummer Kenny Wollesen and percussionist Mauro Refosco keep the results grounded.
David Lord – Forest Standards, Vol. 2
Style: Jazz Fusion, Future Jazz, Post-Rock
Vibe: Forest, Knotty, Intricate, Nature, Impressionistic, Mysterious
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Modal
[Click for album overview, listening links, and more information]
Off World – 1
Style: Progressive Electronic, Experimental
Vibe/Mood: Ethereal, Spacey, Futuristic, Mysterious, Suspenseful, impressionistic
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Instrumental, Studio-as-an-instrument (Loops, Editing, Dubs), Vignettes, Improvisation
Instrumentation: Synthesizer, Drum Machine
Jim White and Marisa Anderson – The Quickening
This impressionistic and contemplative collaboration channels deep American folk roots through free flowing improvisations. The panoramic and sensitive drumming of Jim White (Dirty Three, Cat Power, etc) is a perfect match for Marisa Anderson’s primitivist guitar sensibilities, which feel both immediate and abstract.
The Necks – Vertigo
Style: Free Improvisation, Post-Minimalism, Trance Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: Suspenseful, Hypnotic, Epic, Anxious, Impressionistic
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Repetitive, Droney, Dissonant, Electro-Acoustic, Collective Improvisation, Minimalistic
Anthony Braxton – Five Pieces 1975
Released in 1975 on Arista Records Format: LP Syle: Avant-Garde Jazz Vibe: Cerebral, Complex, Exploratory, Impressionistic Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Innovative, Melodic, … More
Ensemble Pearl – Ensemble Pearl
Style: Drone-Rock, Dark Ambient. Experimental
Vibe: Suspenseful, Eerie, Atmospheric, Slow, Haunting, Dark, Psychedelic, Mysterious,
Musical Attributes: Dissonant, Repetitive, Sparse, Instrumental, Noisy
Musicians: Stephen O’Malley (Sun O)))), Atsuo (Boris), William Herzog, Michio Kurihara
Leon Vynehall – Nothing is Still
Released in 2018 on Ninja Tune Format: LP
Brian Eno – Another Green World
Released in 1975 on Island Records Format: LP
Cecil Taylor – Unit Structures
Album Information: Originally released in 1966 on Blue Note Records Recorded May 19, 1966 1973 Reissue Format: LP Personnel: Cecil … More
Bon Iver – Bon Iver, Bon Iver
Released in 2011 on Jagjaguwar Format: LP
Mount Eerie – Clear Moon
Released in 2012 on P.W. Elverum & Sun, Ltd. Format: LP, clear vinyl
John Fahey – America
Released in 1971 on Takoma Records Format: LP
David Sylvian & Holger Czukay – Plight & Premonition | Flux & Mutability
Originally released as 2 separate releases in 1988 and 1989 on Venture Records 2019 Grönland compilation Format: LPx2
Brokeback – Look at the Birds
Originally released in 2003 on Thrill Jockey Records 2017 pressing Format: LP
Slint – Spiderland
Released in 1991 on Touch and Go Records 2000’s pressing Format: LP
Brokeback – Field Recordings from the Cook County Water Table
Doug McComb’s first album as Brokeback is imbued with pastoral Impressionism, experimentalism, and a sense of Zen contentment. The record is mostly centered around his Bass VI, a short-scale bass with six strings that is trebly enough to function in both guitar and bass roles. This versatile instrument is usually wet with chorus and reverb that sculpt a fluid, aquatic tone to complement the slow, tranquil melodies. Outside of some solo pieces Doug is joined by a variety of accompaniment including lap steel guitar, synth, upright bass, Rhodes, vocals from Mary Hansen, and light percussion provided by producer/Tortoise bandmate John McEntire. This is a record that can be appreciated from a passive impressionistic standpoint, as well as under the microscopic attention of an engaged ear. (Follow link for full review)
Recommended for fans of Tortoise or Ennio Morricone’s spaghetti Western soundtracks
Dirty Three – Horse Stories
The third album from the Melbourne (Au) violin/guitar/drum trio consists of loose, drifting instrumentals that conjure images of vast, open plains. Though the music here is often melancholic and lethargic, it is occasionally swept up with bursts of passionate energy and possessed by cathartic longing (especially the pleading and utterly beautiful violin solo on “Warren’s Lament”). All three instrumentalists have very individual styles that complement and dialogue with each other in refreshingly unique ways.
Tortoise – Millions Now Living Will Never Die
Originally released in 1996 on Thrill Jockey Records 2012 pressing