I got Masada and Secret Chiefs the same day and I've been listening to Masada much more. I'm actually somewhat disappointed in the SC3 album. Trey Spruance is much more talented than those death metal cuts. The rest of the album is leaving me cold; whereas it is very ambitious in scope, it sounds almost derivative. This is particularly the case with the film music sounding ones, they sound a little too Morricone-esque. The best tracks are the more rock/surf oriented ones. It has a similar scope to Disco Volante (as opposed to the other SC3 albums), but doesn't synthesize the influences as effectively; you can immediately identify the component elements of the pastiche on a vast majority of the album. Maybe this is a case of too high of expectations or maybe I need to spend more time with the album. Overall it is good, but not up to the standards of the previous albums--nor the potential suggested by them. On the other hand, Electric Masada has breathed new life into the project. It reminds me of the excitement of listening to the live recordings of the quartet for the first time. The recording is of incredible quality, such that it is hard to believe it was recorded live. The soloing and the interplay are simply amazing, but it is truly the Ribot show--and he absolutely shines. Maybe Book of Horizons is just suffering from not being as good as Electric Masada. Only time will tell, which one I go back to more. I'm curious to get some other opinions on Book of Horizons; maybe help me to hear what I'm missing. Zach -----Original Message----- From: zorn-list-bounces+zsteiner=butler.edu@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:zorn-list-bounces+zsteiner=butler.edu@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Bruno N Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2004 4:44 PM To: zorn-list@mailman.xmission.com Subject: 50th Birthday Vol. 4 Picked up Zorn's 50th Birthday disc, volume 4, Electric Masada, yesterday. In the opinion of this Zorn-lister, this album is beautifully heavy and very well done -- HIGHLY Recommended. Great players, awesome cuts. Needless to say, I am stoked Zorn finally released something which features the Electric Masada unit. n.p. Electric Masada Vol. 4 David Byrne "The Catherine Wheel" Soundtrack