UNORTHODOX BEHAVIOUR

Unorthodox Behaviour is a really really organic fusion album. Filled with a number of intricate and twisting songs, but more so a gentle and improvised feel, it is agreeably one of the more important and influential releases from the Jazz/Rock subgenre. Even more agreeably is it one of Brand X's better releases, if not their very best.

Powered by the precise, loose, and surprisingly speedy drumming from Phil Collins, and complimented perfectly by the fat bass playing from virtuoso Percy Jones, the rhythm section is the driving force behind this release, and is much more than a mere pulse. Sometimes the rhythm is the melody, in a manner of speaking, and the guitar and keys is simply the added fluff. But, normally, the guitar and keys sing out on center stage, in a number of different styles: sometimes catchy and sing-able, other times incredibly swiftly and just jaw-dropping-ly quick. Both aspects are very entertaining, and they never linger anywhere long enough to grow tiresome.

A large complaint many people may have with this album (and, indeed, all fusion in general) is that it is generally fluff with little musical substance. Though that statement is very arguable, it is somewhat true to an extent. However, I think it is healthy and refreshing to listen to many different subgenres (and genres, too) in order to not drive yourself insane at the millionth play of the same album. Refreshing is an excellent word to describe this album, with its complex songwriting and near-free-form improvisational style.

Acoustic guitars and percussion come up now and then, to add yet another dimension of variation. Particularly on the final track, Touch Wood, cosmic piano, spacey acoustic guitar, and subtle percussion end the album on a magical note. Unlike many albums, exploding on the final note, dramatically burning out with a grand and over-the-top finale, this album sort of fades away in an interesting fashion. In the end, though, it leaves the listener feeling very good. Refreshing, interesting, and even slightly cosmic: Unorthodox Behaviour is a really excellent jazz album that should not be missed by fans of the subgenre.