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Spinifex

Undrilling the Hole

Review by Gary Hill
If you like instrumental fusion that is set more on the experimental side, this album is for you. It does a good job of working between the rock and jazz ends of the spectrum. I am not a huge fan of the really “out there” stuff that leans toward the old Rock in Opposition movement, and I like this a lot. So, that should say a lot. At times I hear leanings ranging from King Crimson to Frank Zappa and more. All in all, this is a compelling release that feels decidedly shorter than it’s nearly one hour running time. I should add that this kind of music isn’t all that well suited to “track by track” reviews, but since that’s how we do them here, it’s what you get.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2025  Volume 3. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2025.
Track by Track Review
Embrace the Contradictions

This is screaming hot fusion that leans heavily on both rock and jazz sides of the equation. There are some Zappa=like leanings in some ways. The whole piece is inspired and driving.

Undrilling the Hole

Much more freeform and experimental, this is both very weird, and very cool. It’s exciting and unexpected.

Tatiana

There is a bit more of a driving groove built into this. It’s perhaps a little more pure jazz. There are also plenty of King Crimson vibes at play. This thing gets absolutely crazy as it continues to build and evolve.

Explode the Paradox

More melodic, this still manages to be unpredictable, while also more mainstream.

Admire the Ambiguities

Coming in trippy and freeform, this is crazy stuff. It rises up as it continues and has some great freeform jamming.

Boiling Up Beautifully

This leans more on the jazz rock side of the fusion spectrum. It’s another screaming hot experimental tune. It devolves into some deconstructed weirdness later.

The Big Brother

The weirdest, most freeform stuff of the whole album gets us underway here. It gets pretty driving and later and coalesces a little toward something somewhat less experimental.

 
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