Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on August 2009

While New York rock collective Battles provide the outlet for Tyondai Braxton’s rebellious streak, this new solo album reminds us that, yes, he is the son of avant-garde jazz composer Anthony Braxton. And yes, he was a composition major in college. In place of his regular band’s precision blitzkrieg is the symphonic palette of the Wordless Music Orchestra, which Braxton deploys as the vehicle for an endlessly shifting kaleidoscope of rhythms and melodies. The man himself can be heard on everything from guitar to kazoo to the heavily processed vocals that are a trademark of his work with Battles. Nothing Braxton lends his name to could be considered easy listening, and those who have managed to stick with him thus far may very well take to the New Music panoramas of Central Market. Battles perform at their label’s Warp 20 event in November. See concert listings for details.