Colin Stetson: New History Warfare Vol 2: Judges

Label: Constellation

Around here we're kind of experts in the usage of saxophone in less than traditional environments. But few have developed the instrument's language as much as Colin Stetson, a frequent touring member of Arcade Fire, Bon Iver and others. Far from those indie-popular sounds, Stetson's New History Warfare Vol. 2 bears out the intricacies and forces suggested in its title: This is bristling stuff, rigorous and firmly within most people's estimations of avant-garde, yet also, not the least bit stuffy or academic. "The Stars in His Head" is a fluttering storm of bass-sax notes, evoking a passage of some massive classical-music epic, with percussive figures carved out of modified sax tones. "A Dream of Water" places comparable waves of ululating runs behind a bracing spoken piece by another artist Stetson has played with, Laurie Anderson. She makes a good comparison: furiously artistic but relatable and even accessible. Which is what makes Stetson's fearless album one of the most compelling of 2011.