World Class Listening Problem cover

World Class Listening Problem

Released

World Class Listening Problem marked the return of Don Caballero after a several-year hiatus, and if it wasn’t the radical step forward that its predecessor, American Don, was, it was still an enormously satisfying effort from the band that led a new wave of heavy, prog-descended instrumental rock in the ‘90s. Though only drummer Damon Che remained from the band’s prior era, with members of Pittsburgh post-hardcore outfit Creta Bourzia stepping in to fill out the lineup, the band’s trademark soundworld remained entirely intact. “Sure We Had Knives Around,” with its lattice of chiming guitars, thrillingly busy drumming and delicate-to-destructive dynamic range, is as head-spinning as any musical obstacle course Che & Co. constructed in their early days, while tracks like “Palm Trees in the Fecking Bahamas” (listen for a tasty nod to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September”) and “Railroad Cancellation” push further into the pop sensibility hinted at on 2000’s American Don. The band’s more metallic side resurfaces on “And and and, He Lowered the Twin Down” and monstrously crunchy opener “Mmmmm Acting, I Love Me Some Good Acting,” making this record something of a bridge between Don Cab’s various eras and inclinations. Undervalued at the time of its release, World Class Listening Problem now feels like a renewed statement of purpose from one of the great progressive bands of the past 30-odd years.

Hank Shteamer

Suggestions
Turning Point cover

Turning Point

Gary Peacock, John Gilmore, Paul Bley, Paul Motian
Life Metal cover

Life Metal

Sunn O)))
When Will the Blues Leave cover

When Will the Blues Leave

Paul Motian, Gary Peacock, Paul Bley
Duo in Concert cover

Duo in Concert

Paul Motian, Derek Bailey
Autoclave cover

Autoclave

Autoclave
Hamburg ’72 cover

Hamburg ’72

Paul Motian, Charlie Haden, Keith Jarrett
Over the Sun cover

Over the Sun

Shannon Wright
Ballades cover

Ballades

John Zorn
Zealous Angles cover

Zealous Angles

Matt Mitchell