The Filibuster Saloon: “Going Off Topic” (2023) – Album Review

Summary

“Going Off Topic”, the debut album from The Filibuster Saloon, delves into elements of Canterbury Scene, jazz, progressive rock, fusion, avant-prog, and however many labels may apply. These instrumental tracks comprise a vibrant and playful collection of tunes, trading moments of compositional complexity and musical virtuosity with an air of both breezy cheerfulness and cheeky mischief.

Album Info

Introduction

One of my favorite album releases of 2023 is Eyeless Owl’s Murmurations. It’s a quirky, jazzy, math-rocky instrumental record that struck an entirely pleasing balance between the precise and the delightful. The album’s style and aesthetic was somewhat new territory for me (and one I discovered entirely by accident), but after a few listens I was hooked. So when album pianist and co-composer Zachary Detrick reached out to me a few months later to bring my attention to his latest release, Going Off Topic by The Filibuster Saloon, my interest was immediately piqued.

Detrick composed all the album tracks and collaborated with several of his Eyeless Owl compadres while recording the songs over the course of 2022 and 2023. Returning are Quinn Coniguliaro on bass, Ben Coniguliaro on drums, guitar, and percussion, AJ Hudson on marimba, Joey Lavarias on bassoon, Sonia Susi on violin, and Diego Zavaleta on xylophone. Also featured on this record are Harrison Honor on percussion, Nikolai Klotchkov on tenor sax, Emily Mantone on cello, KJ McDonald on violin, Jack McGuire on bass, and Lucas Sem on marimba.

As you can see, the line-up is quite instrumentally diverse, and accordingly Going Off Topic delves into elements of Canterbury Scene, jazz, progressive rock, fusion, avant-prog, and however many labels may apply. These instrumental tracks comprise a vibrant and playful collection of tunes, trading moments of compositional complexity and musical virtuosity with an air of both breezy cheerfulness and cheeky mischief.

And if nothing else, Going Off Topic could very well showcase the most intriguing collection of song titles of the year. Maybe the decade.

Review

Going Off Topic opens strongly with “Sven Svengridsson Uses A Telephone”. Piano and strings duel in this jaunty number, bouncing between major and minor modalities and swirling through time signatures with a sense of gleeful, almost maniacal abandonment. And it totally connects. The tune doesn’t feel like disparate pieces reaching for a theme, but rather a cohesive bauble of manic orchestral chaos. If that sounds like some kind of antithetical paradigm, therein lies the charm.

With “Waltz of the Toast Fairy”, The Filibuster Saloon showcase a sweet, retro DX7 opening that evokes a sense of shimmering repose. Woodwinds and strings usher in with an urgency and immediacy that lead into a shattering funk segment. The titular waltz begins, and there’s an interesting musical struggle between playfulness and balance here that serves the song well. Moving on to “ScorpionCrabFish”, we consciously eschew the PuppyMonkeyBaby flashbacks. And what bearing the title has on the song, I’ll leave for more discerning minds to chew over. This track has more rock and fusion elements at play. Detrick’s piano drives this frolicking number, with an appealing little flourish of triplets pushing the riff forward.

“Pinball is for Truckers” – why is this my favorite track title on the album? Your guess is as good as mine. This track could serve as an appealing lead single, with its sunny upbeat piano complemented by a wonderfully engaging bassoon bassline and some tasty guitar work. Guitar and keys engage in a duel of riffs and dance contrapuntally together. The introduction of a zany marimba exceptionally elevates this song, leading into the lead instruments united in a strong musical finish.

In “Dale Takes A Walk at 3am”, we find touches of Celtic and bluegrass elements at play in this violin-led track. The track exudes a primal feel, highlighted by dynamic percussion and anchored by the cello. The tone moves into more sinister territory in the second half of the song — maybe 3AM strolls aren’t the safest idea? “Ponderosa Pine Sol” features some of the most notable keys and drum work on the record. Both are so locked into each other throughout the complexities of the arrangement, alongside some impressive work on the bass. This track endeavors to challenge you, but throughout its runtime it never loses its driving flow and immediacy.

We’re treated to the percussively melodic joy of the xylophone as “New Haven Left-Handed Jamboree” begins. What makes the third largest city in Connecticut the Leftorium of New England eludes my grasp, but at the very least we’re treated to a diverse musical spread. Alongside the aforementioned xylophone, the tune showcases violin and bassoon as well. It’s the album’s shortest track, and while I can’t quite decide what to make of it, as a diversion it retains a pleasing quality.

Going Off Topic closes with “JFK Jr. (aka Elvis Presley)”. Opening with a bit of a squirrely march, the tune pivots into a disorienting shuffle. As kooky as its title, the melody dances between a more measured deliberacy and a freewheeling anarchic spirit. There’s an engaging interplay between bassoon, guitar, and xylophone that forms an anchoring trinity to this madness. “JFK Jr. (aka Elvis Presley)” may not be some big epic closer, but it forms the exclamation point on the album’s overall mission statement.

And in closing…

Going Off Topic is a thrilling ride, friends. The Filibuster Saloon spiked the sonic punch with equal parts mayhem and precision, providing a heady dose of jazzy experimental prog rock that remains gleefully protean, ever elusive from your grasp. Yet with all of its tight musicianship, engaging melodies, and compositional hullaballoo, the album’s playfulness is so undeniably compelling you can’t help trekking along all of its musical pathways.

What similar albums does ChatGPT recommend?

While it behooves me to remind my readers that everything you just read is 100% Mills, let’s ask our friendly neighborhood AI for some similar album recommendations.

Given the eclectic nature of “Going Off Topic” by The Filibuster Saloon, as described in your review, I’ll recommend a diverse range of albums that touch on jazz, prog rock, fusion, and avant-garde musical sensibilities. Here are five albums that fans of “Going Off Topic” might enjoy:

The Epic – Kamasi Washington (2015) A modern jazz masterwork, this triple album by tenor saxophonist Kamasi Washington is an expansive journey through jazz, funk, soul, and even elements of classical music. It’s a grand statement, filled with intricate compositions and superb musicianship, akin to the experimental nature of The Filibuster Saloon.

In C Mali – Terry Riley & Africa Express (2014) Terry Riley’s “In C” is a modern classical piece from the 1960s, but this rendition reimagines the piece with Malian instruments and musicians. This fusion of Western avant-garde and African traditional sounds creates a mesmerizing and rhythmic experience that fans of eclectic and experimental music might appreciate.

The Source – Tony Allen (2017) Regarded as perhaps the greatest drummer in the world of Afrobeat, Tony Allen’s “The Source” fuses elements of jazz, Afrobeat, and fusion into a seamless blend. The album is an adventurous exploration of rhythm and melody, sure to captivate listeners who enjoy the blend of world influences and jazz sensibilities present in “Going Off Topic”.

Currents – Tame Impala (2015) While primarily known as a psychedelic pop/rock project, Tame Impala’s “Currents” dives into a realm of lush synths, intricate rhythms, and genre-blending that might resonate with fans of progressive and experimental sounds. Kevin Parker, the mastermind behind Tame Impala, crafts tracks that are both accessible and deeply layered, making it a sonic treat.

A Humdrum Star – GoGo Penguin (2018) This Manchester-based trio delves deep into the intersection of acoustic jazz, electronica, and rock. Their album “A Humdrum Star” offers listeners a captivating mix of complex rhythms, beautiful piano melodies, and a contemporary electronic touch. Fans of the instrumental prowess and inventive compositions found in “Going Off Topic” will likely find much to love here.

I hope these recommendations resonate with the vibe and spirit of The Filibuster Saloon’s release!

Output from ChatGPT, OpenAI to Mills, 26 July 2023