Isotope 217 find themselves in a precarious position somewhere between post-rock and jazz.
Isotope grew out of weekly jam sessions around the Chicago area and are put on record for the first time. The band's founder, guitarist
Jeff Parker, recruited two other members of
Tortoise (
Dan Bitney and
John Herndon) along with bassist
Matt Lux, trombonist
Sara P. Smith, and finally cornetist Rob Mazurek, and
The Unstable Molecule is characterized by a pronounced lo-fi vibe counteracted by unmistakable jazz ambition. The end result is an album that is neither straight-ahead jazz nor space rock, but a quirky, funk-flavored, astute musical venture. Tracks like "Kryptonite Smokes the Red Line" and "La Jeteé" explore mellow spaces and employ the uses of varied instrumentation including cello and other strings. "Audio Boxing" and "Beneath the Undertow" rely on catchy horn arrangements and precise construction, while providing a counterpoint to the subdued nature of the other tracks.
The Unstable Molecule will satisfy anyone who has a taste for out of the ordinary jazz, and an inclination toward funk wouldn't hurt, either. It provides a consistent listen, but must be understood as a bridge between two genres. It is a serious effort to assimilate a post-rock sound with contemporary jazz, and it succeeds well.