These Are The Vistas
by The Bad Plus
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    With equal measures of beauty, terror, and comedy in their own stuff, there's plenty going on besides stunt covers. [2 May 2003, p.71]
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  2. Amazon.com
    90
    Amidst all the fun is a dynamic record that holds your attention.
  3. Austin Chronicle
    89
    The Bad Plus plies a refreshingly playful, forcefully dynamic, and knowingly irreverent sensibility that stretches the boundaries of the format without dislodging the music from its foundation.
  5. AllMusic
    80
    What is impressive is that the trio manages to sound contemporary using only piano, bass, and drums, and without resorting to electronic gimmicks.
  6. Rolling Stone
    80
    Their songbook bravado and grip of extreme dynamics are vividly caught in the poleaxed cover of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit."
  7. PopMatters
    80
    A fun and decidedly unsnobby listen for both jazzophiles and newbies alike.
  8. Splendid
    80
    I hope that These are the Vistas doesn't go down in history as "that record where the jazz guys played Nirvana", because it is much more than that.
  9. Village Voice
    80
    Merges jazz, pop, and the conservatory in a heady and original way, accessible and seriously playful.
  10. Mojo
    80
    This is exhilarating stuff. [Mar 2003, p.111]
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  11. Blender
    80
    An acoustic jazz trio for the future: funny, imaginative and completely unbeholden to the traditions of the music. [#14, p.130]
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  12. Uncut
    80
    The band achieve an impressive impact with a wide dynamic range. [Jun 2003, p.109]
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  13. Billboard
    80
    [The Bad Plus] aren't exactly reinventing jazz, but they are up to the task of aggressively disdaining genre conventions, in terms of upending arrangements, going with eclectic programming, and revamping their instruments' respective roles.
  14. Ink 19
    70
    This is a hard, focused album that should both piss off and impress the jazz and rock clientele in equal measures.
  15. Pitchfork
    70
    They have a knack for hitting the melody where some more experimental outfits might opt for a diverse array of craziness.
  16. Alternative Press
    60
    Far from essential, but... a good jazz starting point for the unitiated. [Mar 2003, p.90]
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  17. Stylus Magazine
    54
    The cover of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” is pretty inventive.... Unfortunately for the group, the album doesn’t approach these moments of sublimity nearly enough.

Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Best Album of 2003

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