PAT METHENY GROUP: THE WAY UP

The long song format can easily turn a lot of people off, even veteran progheads who are used to side long epics. I know that the thought of sixty-eight minutes of jazz with only three pauses for breath may be sound straining, but Metheny does not strain his listeners. Do not shy away from this fearing a tediously towering Topographic Oceans type of album. This album doesn't require your full attention for all sixty-eight minutes. In fact, there are many liquid, milky, psychedelic moments that will make this album easily to lose oneself in, or even fall asleep to (at some moments). These softer, near-ambient moments balance quite evenly with the upbeat, colourful, cosmic jazz that occupies the remainder of the disc. Fast, precise, and cymbal-heavy drumming are prominent; hypnotizing acoustic guitars, spacey piano, and really intricate rhythms all make up The Way Up.