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Ode Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
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  • Summary: The first studio release with the new jazz trio line-up of Mehldau, bassist Larry Grenadier, and drummer Jeff Ballard is an album of tributes to both real and fictional people.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Apr 19, 2012
    90
    A most welcome return.
  2. Mar 19, 2012
    90
    While the theme of the album may be dedications to others, what Mehldau has ultimately crafted is an ode to the confidence, style and precision of his own trio's playing, displaying all the panache and charm of old companions reuniting once more.
  3. Mar 19, 2012
    80
    Most of the trio's hallmarks are here: resonant lyricism, floating locomotion, a harmonic approach that brings depth to simple structures and sleekness to the more complex ones.
  4. Mar 19, 2012
    80
    All three players are articulating a ceaseless stream of fresh ideas throughout this electrically energised session.
  5. The material is all Mehldau's and quality varies from the standing ovations of the opening and closing tunes to lesser tricked-up vamps, but bass and drums groove superbly throughout.
  6. Mojo
    Apr 19, 2012
    80
    Full of understated elegance, Ode reminds us that Mehldau's is an increasingly significant body of work. [May 2012, p.82]

See all 10 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Mar 21, 2012
    7
    Maybe not the most ground-breaking album you'll ever hear, but a solid album that is well worth a listen, proving the adage that with jazz aMaybe not the most ground-breaking album you'll ever hear, but a solid album that is well worth a listen, proving the adage that with jazz a lot of times less is more. Expand