The second album by the British rock septet from the experimental and improvised scenes is deliberately less hermetic than the acclaimed For the First Time, released last year. By reducing the duration of its compositions (except for the last three), Black Country, New Road multiplies its theatricality tenfold in small, but still explosive, rock scenes during which jazz, prog, post-minimalism and math-rock collide dramatically. The fascinating playing of the instrumentalists (brass, violin, piano, rock rhythm) is captured with as much naturalness as possible, without apparent studio effects, giving the impression of a living, raw, volatile work, on edge, a feeling heightened by the lively interpretation of singer and guitarist Isaac Wood, poignant on Bread Songimperial on the rock finale of basketball shoes. Citing mental health issues, Wood announced last week that he had quit the band, forcing the band to cancel their scheduled concert in Montreal on Feb. 26.
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