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The Bad Plus — Flim
Album: These Are the Vistas
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2347









Released: 2003
Length: 3:58
Plays (last 30 days): 1
(Instrumental)
Comments (425)add comment
 crogers wrote:

Jazz haters mystify me, particularly those from the US.  An American who hates jazz is like a Frenchman who hates French.  Jazz is the only truly American art form and while there's no accounting for personal taste, if you were born in the US (or even if you weren't) and have never bothered to learn anything about jazz, I think you're doing yourself a disservice. 

Saying "I hate jazz" is as silly as saying "I hate food".  By definition, there are countless styles and flavors of jazz to experience β€” some you'll dislike and some you'll find that you appreciate... but only if you learn something about the form and listen to as many variations as you can get your ears around, instead of just whining like a toddler about something you know nothing about.  

It seems to me that becoming a well-rounded, educated, compassionate adult human being takes courage, patience and curiosity - among other things.  C'mon β€” be brave, dig in to it (in spite of your reservations) and look for what you've been missing.  The worst that can happen is that you'll actually be well-informed about the cause of your discomfort.
 



Awesome insightful take.  Thank you.  
One of many bands along with Medeski Martin & Wood, Elbow that were in a heavier rotation my first listen to RP nearly 20 years ago. I have never left.

More cowbell!!
This would be a lot better with less drumming.
 terryweir wrote:

Don't mind the music but the drumming is really annoying.  And I'm a drummer.



i was just going to say this, except i'm not a drummer. the drumming is very annoying. 
Don't mind the music but the drumming is really annoying.  And I'm a drummer.
 ScottishWillie wrote 9 years ago:

 
The original off the Aphex Twin album Come to Daddy is surprisingly similar with the exception that it’s all electronic and features a drum machine. What is outstanding to me (a non drummer) is that a real acoustic drummer can mimic it. Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant. 


One of the basic drumming strokes is a "flam."  Wonder if the song's named "Flim" as a sly reference ... done with a wink and a nod, you know.
Strangely I prefer this version to the Aphex Twin. I like the slower beat. 
 ScottishWillie wrote:

 The original from the Aphex Twin album Come to Daddy is surprisingly similar with the exception that it’s all electronic and features a drum machine. What is outstanding to me (a non-drummer) is that a real acoustic drummer can mimic it. Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant. 
Bill made me discover the 'Plus and you guys told me about Aphex Twins - another discovery. This is a fantastic place πŸ’«

Music so pure you can eat it. 
The Bad Plus(the drummer ) a very apt band name and Flim a very apt song name  ... seriously. the piano is just some note s and doesn't really get you. The drummer as someone else says overplays. I am certain they have amazing talent but it is not displayed in this song. So it is what it is ...just a Flim . They got that right
Rare solid 8 on first listen, great song!
 Hippostar wrote:
 
 
This is what drummers refer to as "overplaying".  Licks that any competent jazz drummer could play, performed in a show-off, self-indulgent way with little or no regard for the piece or other players.

It's likely the rest of the band wanted the drummer to play this song the way he did on this recording.  For one thing, it mimics the drum track from the original recording of this song.
The 1st few times I heard this I really enjoyed its light playfulness, but it is not aging well with me. The more I hear it the less I want to hear it.
Gotta love Aphex Twin - if this leads to folk checking him out then all the better πŸ‘ Not always the easiest listen though 😁
 rpdevotee wrote:

Take some jazz drummer dude messing around on the drums...add a child's piano practice lesson, throw in an occasional bass and get a song that's played on Radio Paradise!



BS
Sounds like GoGo Penguin style - I do recommend it as well, if you like this song.
 crogers wrote:

Jazz haters mystify me, particularly those from the US.  An American who hates jazz is like a Frenchman who hates French.  Jazz is the only truly American art form and while there's no accounting for personal taste, if you were born in the US (or even if you weren't) and have never bothered to learn anything about jazz, I think you're doing yourself a disservice. 


...or like a Frenchman who hates...fries? [from Analogies for Dummies]

 Hippostar wrote:
 
 
This is what drummers refer to as "overplaying".  Licks that any competent jazz drummer could play, performed in a show-off, self-indulgent way with little or no regard for the piece or other players.


Agreed.  The drummer 'can' play, but [s]he doesn't need to prove it all through the entire song.
Reminds me a bit of MMW... Great vibe and great drummer
The live recording of The Bad Plus playing this song, on "Blunt Object Live In Tokyo" is also excellent.
Part of the fascinating thing about jazz is where the white space is .. this piece illustrates that concept really well. What did the musician put in? What did he leave out?
 Donar wrote:
Do like the Aphex Twin version more 


Gave it a 4 first. But now knowing they actually play the song acoustic and manually... 4 -> 7
 rpdevotee wrote:
Take some jazz drummer dude messing around on the drums...add a child's piano practice lesson, throw in an occasional bass and get a song that's played on Radio Paradise!
 
This is what drummers refer to as "overplaying".  Licks that any competent jazz drummer could play, performed in a show-off, self-indulgent way with little or no regard for the piece or other players.
One of the few covers that is better than the original (mainly because its done acoustically and not on a computer).
Flim and the BBs did this specific song.  BillG: If you have or can get a copy of that cut by Flim and play it along side this cut, I think you'd confirm what I believe. 

Flim and the BBs worked with Sony[?] and/or Columbia[?] and I think this was a cut from one of the very first music CDs ever produced and released.  A former NASA engineer from the 1960's turned me on to them around 1990. 
(He also worked for me later and helped us release the first time anyone had publicly played CDs from a computer, with one of the early beta CD drives for PCs with a SCSI interface, that just also happened to include a jack for earphones, so it someone wanted to write software to make it play music, it would play a CD.  AFter one of my engineers did exactly that, we played it during the FOSE trade show in Washington, DC.)


I checked out the Wikipedia article to see what association there was with F&BB.  One of the founders of B+, Ethan Iverson has a blog that is its own Wiki that covers the history of Jazz, including articles and composers from early Gershwin on.  I learned more about both jazz history, and the composition of jazz than a knew existed.  If you have ANY interest in Jazz, visit his blog:  https://ethaniverson.com/ 

I am also very sure now that the title Flim was not an accident.  He teaches music, and music history.  B+ started around 1989, even thought their first record was a decade later.  He is also from Wisconsin, as was F&BB I think.  Given Ethan's broad and extensive coverage of jazz, it is impossible that he wasn't fully familiar with F&BB's work.  If someone else is interested, forward this post to him and I am very sure he would respond.


Proclivities wrote:
I think their influences go back a lot further than those guys, but you never know.
   
Old_Pat wrote:
Some sort of tribute to Flim and the BBs?
 Drelemann wrote:


See him performing:https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Handmade indeed.
 

Thanks for that.  Wonderful.  And, they're performing at a club in Paris!
Reminds me of the melody of the chorus from the Al American Rejects "Dirty Little Secret" which came out two years after this tune. Things that make you go hmmm ...
A solid 8 just for the drums!
I just came for the drums 
High-school recital.
 khardog145 wrote:
This drummer is amazing!
 

See him performing:https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Handmade indeed.
Not sure what to think. Catchy anyway.
Only a few moments in (and it's improving rapidly thankfully) but first few tinkles and I momentarily thought I'd left Youtube on and it was yet another Grammerly ad.
Do like the Aphex Twin version more 
Came to check if I've rated this as 10.

Yep.  
Still thinking about Brubeck when I hear this.  Luv it!
This drummer is amazing!
I love this song on a long drive through the mountains....
Hearing a melody from Willy Wonka...
 Vicey wrote:
And that's how you get the gig. 
 

 
HA!! Dave's videos are the best.
Flim Springfield

Mayor Quimby and the Springfield tourism council want you to... FLIM SPRINGFIELD! (Our town is so hot, we do not need a large ad or even correct spelling!)
I wish the guy practicing his drum routine would do it in a different room. It's very distracting. 
 whomhow wrote:
Dear music lovers, there's no sense to discuss the drum playing etc. if you do not hear the original track by Aphex Twin. 8.
 
 The original from the Aphex Twin album Come to Daddy is surprisingly similar with the exception that it’s all electronic and features a drum machine. What is outstanding to me (a non-drummer) is that a real acoustic drummer can mimic it. Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant. 
And that's how you get the gig. 
 
This is cool ON HOLD music.  
Dear music lovers, there's no sense to discuss the drum playing etc. if you do not hear the original track by Aphex Twin. 8.
 Oxen1morale wrote:
Fantastic drumming

 
no kidding
Fantastic drumming
Pervasively pointless piano, plunking percussion
 TerryS wrote:
Indeed, 'really simple' is the hardest thing to do well.

 
To repeat myself.....................as Chopin {previously} famously said.
Jazz haters mystify me, particularly those from the US.  An American who hates jazz is like a Frenchman who hates French.  Jazz is the only truly American art form and while there's no accounting for personal taste, if you were born in the US (or even if you weren't) and have never bothered to learn anything about jazz, I think you're doing yourself a disservice. 

Saying "I hate jazz" is as silly as saying "I hate food".  By definition, there are countless styles and flavors of jazz to experience — some you'll dislike and some you'll find that you appreciate... but only if you learn something about the form and listen to as many variations as you can get your ears around, instead of just whining like a toddler about something you know nothing about.  

It seems to me that becoming a well-rounded, educated, compassionate adult human being takes courage, patience and curiosity - among other things.  C'mon — be brave, dig in to it (in spite of your reservations) and look for what you've been missing.  The worst that can happen is that you'll actually be well-informed about the cause of your discomfort.
 
  ScottishWillie wrote:

What is the meaning of “Flam”?

 
Proclivities wrote:

A "flam" is a type of drum stroke, which is also called a drumming rudiment.  I imagine Jelani was referring to the drummer's technique in this song, as the drummer's performance contains numerous examples of flams.  I don't believe he was referring to "flim-flam".

 
Also a town in Norway.
 Jelani wrote:
I'll say it again - Flam.

 
I'll say it again, too.  It.
Not my taste! Says nothing to me!
 ScottishWillie wrote:

What is the meaning of “Flam”?

 
A "flam" is a type of drum stroke, which is also called a drumming rudiment.  I imagine Jelani was referring to the drummer's technique in this song, as the drummer's performance contains numerous examples of flams.  I don't believe he was referring to "flim-flam".
They do a great live show. You'll pay attention!
They also do Comfortably Numb too, but you be reminded of PF.
 ScottishWillie wrote:

What is the meaning of “Flam”?

 
 
noun: flim-flam
1.
nonsensical or insincere talk.
"I suppose that you suspect me of pseudointellectual flimflam"
 
 
 
verb
verb: flim-flam
1.
swindle (someone) with a confidence game.
"the tribe was flimflammed out of its land"

 Jelani wrote:
I'll say it again - Flam.
 
What is the meaning of “Flam”?
Go check out the original.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA74qxyC-sQ
Dave King is, well....
stromberg
I'll say it again - Flam.
Wow. Bill, you did it again.
{#Sunny}
I just heard the last seconds of this, enough time to ask "who is this??". Went to youtube and found the same tune played live.
I like them a *lot*! Not sure I'll like everything, but I'll investigate further.
RP's musical horizon is really something that spreads all around me. I'm impressed (once more) !

I do also know this to be true: you dig improvisation/jazz (one of the hundred thousand variations there are) - or you don't.
And if you don't, as the previous comment stated, you won't find anything to like in this, as it's about as jazzy as it gets (if modern, and possibly more of the "extremely thought out" kind than of the "warm and easy to get", or the "raw and wild" kind... so hard to describe!)

Nothing to do with must or mustn't like, or good or bad taste. I'm not saying it means *anything* if you love this or hate this.

If you didn't hear at least a bit of jazz of any kind growing up, I think it's just really difficult to get into it once your very own perception of music has been shaped. That's what I've seen happening around me, anyway.
 scrubbrush wrote:

Saw these guys live. It was like listening to three musicians play entirely different pieces of music: different tempos, melodies, everything. "Creative" but discordant.

 
You must not like jazz.
First time I heard it I gave it an 8. It's down to a 4 now. This one does not repeat well with me.
ALL HAIL THE BAD PLUS!  {#Bananapiano}{#Drummer}{#Bananajam}
Thanks for stretching some of these people.
a possessed drum kit gets together with some random friends...and they walk into a bar
 rpdevotee wrote:
Take some jazz drummer dude messing around on the drums...add a child's piano practice lesson, throw in an occasional bass and get a song that's played on Radio Paradise!


 
Yeah. And why not? Ask Stockhausen, ask Cage, and of course: Holger Czukay.
{#Drummer}
The good drummer.
Indeed, 'really simple' is the hardest thing to do well.
 rpdevotee wrote:
Take some jazz drummer dude messing around on the drums...add a child's piano practice lesson, throw in an occasional bass and get a song that's played on Radio Paradise!

 
You are bad, they are Plus!
They have talent, you have... a keyboard.
Thanks for playing The Bad Plus!! Love these guys' weirdo grooves!
 rpdevotee wrote:
Take some jazz drummer dude messing around on the drums...add a child's piano practice lesson, throw in an occasional bass and get a song that's played on Radio Paradise!

 
Haha, nailed!
I wonder why the drummer is playing a different song from the rest of the band... Good tune though.
STROMBERG is our Über-Hero!
{#Drummer}
 Old_Pat wrote:
Some sort  of tribute to Flim and the BBs?

 
I think their influences go back a lot further than those guys, but you never know.
Yipppeeeeee!
Some sort  of tribute to Flim and the BBs?
 
Love this track, they remind me a bit of Polar Bear https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX_CFSiZ5Zk
I have been a bad plus fan for a long time. Seen twice and both times were outstanding. This song stands out as what call my fave four of The Bad Plus 
 rpdevotee wrote:
Take some jazz drummer dude messing around on the drums...add a child's piano practice lesson, throw in an occasional bass and get a song that's played on Radio Paradise!

 
Saw these guys live. It was like listening to three musicians play entirely different pieces of music: different tempos, melodies, everything. "Creative" but discordant.
Yay!
It's Take Five played backwards.  Thanks Bill.
 
Take some jazz drummer dude messing around on the drums...add a child's piano practice lesson, throw in an occasional bass and get a song that's played on Radio Paradise!
 ddbz wrote:
I thought this was  a Google/Microsoft song till the Jazz runs? are they real or on a computer... ? need to see in person

 
Three real guys. I've seen them a couple of times. Great group!. The drummer, especially, is amazing.
I thought this was  a Google/Microsoft song till the Jazz runs? are they real or on a computer... ? need to see in person
 ScottishWillie wrote:
 The original off the Aphex Twin album Come to Daddy is surprisingly similar with the exception that it’s all electronic and features a drum machine. What is outstanding to me (a non drummer) is that a real acoustic drummer can mimic it. Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant. 
 
A non-drummer myself with a 12-inch jaw drop at this performance.  Fabulous!
 unclehud wrote:
This is a cover?!?!  I'd love to hear the original, because this is GREAT!  
  
The original off the Aphex Twin album Come to Daddy is surprisingly similar with the exception that it’s all electronic and features a drum machine. What is outstanding to me (a non drummer) is that a real acoustic drummer can mimic it. Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant. 
 tpowers wrote:
This is what Mr. Rogers listens to when he fires one up after a stressful day in the neighborhood.

 
National Lampoon did a great spoof of Mr. Rogers talking to a bass player.  When asked if he wanted to visit the Magic Kingdom, the bass player replied, "No thanks, man, I gotta drive."
Wow, what a snare!
an immediate 7 --> 8 just because of the jazz factor.  Too cool. 
 tpowers wrote:
This is what Mr. Rogers listens to when he fires one up after a stressful day in the neighborhood.

 
That whole show makes a lot more sense to me now. 
 tpowers wrote:
This is what Mr. Rogers listens to when he fires one up after a stressful day in the neighborhood.

 
{#Lol}
This is what Mr. Rogers listens to when he fires one up after a stressful day in the neighborhood.
{#Bananapiano}{#Drummer}{#Bananajam}
Just saw these guys two nights ago in Madison, WI.  I didn't think I knew anything about them, but then I heard this song and was like, Oh, I've heard this on RP... The friend I was there with (who is a huge fan) said it was an Aphex Twin cover and that's probably why I knew it.  Nope, I looked it up today and saw that I had rated it some time ago.  I've never heard the Aphex Twin version to the best of my knowledge.  

Anyway, these guys are tremendous.  If you get a chance, check them out live.  : ) 
YES!  Bill, loving this jazz representation.  Bad Plus's "Velouria" is also quite lovely.  Maybe some Brad Mehldau or Christopher O'Riley Radiohead covers, too?  Chris O'Riley has an album of Elliot Smith tunes - play "Oh Well, OK" and you'll be my hero for life! :)
Anyone else hear Landau Orchestra in this?
This is a cover?!?!  I'd love to hear the original, because this is GREAT!  

Wacko manic furious drumming set against calming piano with an easily recognizable repeating motif ... and then they break into something tightly synchronized, only to revert into the seemingly unrelated plunking/plinking.  Yeah, that's what makes RP such a great find.
Great Cover, would be great to hear on this radio the Aphex Twin original version too.
 
This is one of those tracks where the comments here, other people's insights, allow your mind to expand and embrace beyond the initial knee-jerk.  Like others here, I now get it, but aren't terribly keen on it. I respect the technical ability and syncopation but it doesn't light my candle :-)  But of course that's just my singular opinion.  Oh yes, recording value is very high too!
Holy smoke!  How nice.  Gotta rate this for sure.

Kinda reminds me of Brubeck.  No offense Dave {#Angel}
 
I have loved these guys for a few years now, seen them live several times.   Thanks RP!
 Roguewarer wrote:
I was going to jump all over this for the "squirrely" drumming, until I realized: this is a drum song. Thanks for opening my ears (and mind) a bit wider, RPers!
 
What you said, Roguewarer! Amen, from John, born & raised in Windsor, Ontario...kinda, sorta your neighbour.
 Bridieboo wrote:
Wow, people seem to either hate this or love it.  Put me in the 'love' camp {#Biggrin}
 
Love, love, love!
I did not know this was a cover of Aphex Twin.  I really like this version. 
Wow, people seem to either hate this or love it.  Put me in the 'love' camp {#Biggrin}
 fatcatjb wrote:
well, it happened again...I was going to complain about this weird song, and then I read the comments...and suddenly I was tapping my toe like mad and really loving the mental picture of a drummer having a great time wailing away while the piano brings order and balance. So much for my complaint!
 
Now that's interesting. I have always hated this song. But after re-reading the comments, I think I get it. But I still hate it.
And hurrah for RP! Brilliant exposure to a range of music. 
well, it happened again...I was going to complain about this weird song, and then I read the comments...and suddenly I was tapping my toe like mad and really loving the mental picture of a drummer having a great time wailing away while the piano brings order and balance. So much for my complaint!

Can't listen to this as it is used as a theme tune for a local NPR morning call in show in CT called "Where we live".
The host is aweful - stutters, cuts off the callers.....


I like the hyper drumming, but I don't like the drummer's use of buzz rolls. They aren't very even. Oh well.
A few minutes of my life I won't ever get back....oh wait, PSD!!!!   {#Music}
This sounds suspiciously like Jazz, and I don't hate it.... wait. what!?
 rpdevotee wrote:
Sure, the drummer is good...no doubt, but the one finger piano reminds of a third grade introductory lesson...
There is a slight disconnect there...like the drummer is on meth while the pianist is on ludes.

Different though...definitely different.
 
The "one finger" piano part sounds simple, but listen to what's being played by the left hand of the piano player. Now it takes it to a different level of playing, not as simple as it sounds on the outset.

Great syncopation between drums and piano. 
I was going to jump all over this for the "squirrely" drumming, until I realized: this is a drum song. Thanks for opening my ears (and mind) a bit wider, RPers!