It's odd for a group like Thumbscrew to release an album like Theirs. Mary Halvorson (guitar), Michael Formanek (bass) and Tomas Fujiwara (drums) are musicians who always seem to have their eye on the future, with their albums as a bandleader being composed of mostly original material. Theirs is an album that does not contain one Thumbscrew original. The record is completely focused on much older compositions, including jazz standards like "The Peacocks", a Jimmy Rowles composition that was popularized by classic recordings by greats such as Bill Evans and Stan Getz.
Thumbscrew's take on the Rowles number is stunning. The warped echo effect of Halvorson's guitar combines with Formanek's bass to create a beautiful haze of notes before the guitarist introduces the main melody of the song. The bass playing becomes more solemn as Fujiwara contributes gorgeous brush work, both creating an impressive stage for the guitar, which is undoubtedly the main focus here. Halvorson often shines in chaos, but her expressive soloing here may leave fans craving a ballads album.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Theirs is how it puts the players in situations where they seldom go in their compositions. Jacob Do Bandolim's "Benzinho" and Julio de Caro's "Buen Amigo" takes the trio into the sounds of Latin America. Halvorson fitting the idiosyncrasies of her guitar work into a Latin American context is not something one would find on her albums. Likewise, the rapid bossa nova rhythm constructed by skillful Fujiwara brush work in "Benzinho" is not something typical of his records.
As is the custom whenever these three unite, Theirs has gripping hectic moments. "Dance Cadaverous", a Wayne Shorter tune off of the classic Speak No Evil, is a surprising source of energy here. Fujiwara is the star, somehow sustaining solo-like energy throughout the entirety of the song's six minutes and twenty seconds. The Shorter tune is a great example of what makes Theirs such a success. Although Thumbscrew didn't write any of the music here, by the end there is no mistaking that they have approached the repertoire with the same exploratory mentality that they bring to their original compositions.
As is the custom whenever these three unite, Theirs has gripping hectic moments. "Dance Cadaverous", a Wayne Shorter tune off of the classic Speak No Evil, is a surprising source of energy here. Fujiwara is the star, somehow sustaining solo-like energy throughout the entirety of the song's six minutes and twenty seconds. The Shorter tune is a great example of what makes Theirs such a success. Although Thumbscrew didn't write any of the music here, by the end there is no mistaking that they have approached the repertoire with the same exploratory mentality that they bring to their original compositions.
