Music Review: Jean Baudin's Solace

Solo releases usually run the risk of being great show-pieces for the musicians talent that are ultimately boring to listen to repeatedly. It's often difficult for me to listen to the few solo CDs I have collected over the years, more than just the few times I do when I get them. Usually I'll listen to it only enough to say, "Yep, that's technically great playing, but still kind of bores me."

I suppose this has to do with the fact that, not being a musician myself, I easily lose interest when there is no supporting band or vocals. A great show-piece for someone's ability to play a specific instrument is usually only interesting to people who also play that specific instrument.

Jean Baudin has crafted a release that can keep both parties interested though. In case you are unaware, he has slowly graduated to a 13-string bass guitar, that was custom made for him. This was all in an attempt to push the limits of his instrument of choice.

This means that his range with the bass is far greater than most, and it's precisely that fact that helped him create a release that not only keeps a non-musician's interest, but serves as a show-piece for his talent. Solace runs the gamut from spacey, atmospheric post-rock type music, to trippy, experimental stuff, to amazing bass breakdowns, and back again.

It is expertly crafted to provide a seemless journey from beginning to end, but before I ever listened to it straight-through, I enjoyed the sample cuts on his myspace just as much by themselves. If you're a fan of any of the stuff being labeled "post-rock" -- the kind of thing you put on, turn up, close your eyes and let take you to a new world. Or as I enjoy it, while delivering my papers in the dead of night -- then you should like Solace quite a bit.

It's definitely a divergence from Jean's past projects, but if you aren't very close-minded about your music, then you should find something to like. Personally, I enjoyed it just as much as I do much as I do bands like Godspeed! You Black Emperor -- which is to say, a lot.

Here's a choice-cut to wet your whistle.



The full thing can be purchased here.

Score: 5 out of 5
Confused about our scoring system? Read this explanation.