Album Review: The Necks - Open

How do The Necks manage to stay relevant after more than two decades of building worlds out of minimalist jazz? Lesser bands would've died long ago,. Open, the piano-bass-drum trio's 17th album, somehow manages to impress and wow anew, showing yet another side to these experimental jazz masters. The single, one-hour, eight-minute track is among the most minimalist of the group's career – truly, open space is a player here. Minor variations lead to crescendos lead to melancholic reflection leads to near-wall-of-noise attacks. Open is a living masterwork for those with open ears.