So what the heck is alternative today you may be asking yourself. Well, here's a clue: it's not Pearl Jam. Today alternative is a term that has about as much relevancy as the term "modern art".
In regards to music however, one individual stands out, in my mind, as an innovator of true alternative music. True, his CDs are sold in the jazz section of music stores, but I really believe jazz is the true alternative music anyway, and Pat Metheny leads the pack in "futurizing" the sound of jazz.
For over 20 years guitar extraordinaire Pat Metheny, keyboard king Lyle Mays, and usually several other musicians have collaborated to produce 12 albums under the name of the Pat Metheny Group. With this their latest release, "Imaginary Day", Metheny pushes his style of intense and melodic instrumental-based jazz to another level.
On Nov. 9, Metheny brought his six man gang to the stage of the State Theater in Minneapolis for one night of an amazing instrumental overdose. With each member of the Metheny Group being proficient in multiple instruments, the sound they are able to create is unparalleled and was doubly impressive during their live performance. Three of the six musicians must have each played at least five different instruments during the concert, not to mention the six or seven guitars Metheny played himself.
From the latest in digital technology to the simplicity of the acoustic guitar, Metheny covers the gamut in musical styles within the jazz realm, pushing the limits to the very extreme. Using the latest technology, as well as rare and unique instruments, is one method Metheny uses to produce new and creative sounds. Surrounding Metheny on stage were several pedal boards used for filtering his guitar through a synthesizer-like processor, giving him virtually endless sounds.
Metheny offers a broad range of musical influences, often coming from Brazilian and Oriental compositional stylings that rely heavily on a strong but subtle and multi-dimensional percussion section.
To put it simply, Metheny's music is thick, it's diverse, it's creative, and really just amazing. Listening to his CDs at home, I had certain expectations of what his live performance might be like, but this experience went way beyond anything I could have expected; it was in fact a total experience. Even the lights and stage props were incredibly fitting and added a lot to the overall experience.
The Pat Metheny Group has once again produced a sound on their new CD that I feel deserves the coveted alternative title.
If you don't believe me, check it out for yourself; this guy plays the guitar like nobody I've ever heard or seen before in my life. If you're in the market for something you probably won't get on the radio, this is it. Check out the new CD "Imaginary Day" and the creative package design by Stefan Sagmeister, who came to UW-Stout last year and gave a lecture and workshop to the graphic design students. Almost all of the CD package is interpreted by symbol codes, with the actual CD acting as the decoder. You can also go online to: http://www.patmethenygroup.com to find out more and download a neat little interactive decoder panel, so you can actually find the CD in the store and know what it says, then show it off to your friends.
