Review
Pat Metheny
Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV)

BMG (2021) Robert Miklos (Piro)

Pat Metheny – Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV) cover artwork
Pat Metheny – Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV) — BMG, 2021

I’m inclined to believe that anyone even just vaguely familiar with the fusion area of jazz has heard of Pat Metheny. Practically one of the legends of the genre, there’s nothing I could really say here to aptly summarize Metheny’s nearly five-decade career, nor add. It’s pretty obvious that in such cases there’s no critique to pass, or rather, no relevant critique.

Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV) is the title of Metheny’s latest work and it’s a live album. I’ll start out by raving a little about the production. It’s absolutely stellar. Jazz is generally renowned for spectacular production value and one of the greats being on display here also adheres properly to that. There’s nothing to poke at, the percussion is warm and perfectly articulated, the leads are smooth and present, while the low-end backbone is supporting everything neatly. It’s simply ear candy.

As for the music itself, it’s fairly easy going if you’re not paying attention. The laid back tonal qualities will leave the impression of a lounge type record. Quite the contrary, it’s definitely a record you need to actively listen to as it’s packed with tons of details and nuance. It’s a lot of fun to listen to and it’s really easy on the ears so you’ll be surprised to see that it’s suddenly midnight and all you did was press play like a hypnotized drone. I’m not saying this is exactly what happened to me, but I’m also not not saying that it happened.

Pat Metheny – Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV) cover artwork
Pat Metheny – Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV) — BMG, 2021

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

Detention

Dead Rock ‘N’ Rollers
Left For Dead Records (2024)

Life ain’t so easy in the detention home- Dead Boys. Emerging from the underbelly of Jersey, made up primarily of three brethren. Raised on rock and roll and sipping from the chalice of early punk rock stalwarts like Da Bruddahs from Queens, Hey Ho! and the Pistoleros of Sexual Nature screaming banshees from across from the large pond. Thus forging … Read more

Nightfreak

Nightfreak
Big Neck Records (2024)

Semi-feral punk outfit NightFreak are back with a self-titled LP filled with breakneck riffs and 70s metal bombast. The Chicago group haven’t slowed down since 2022’s Speed Trials but they have filled out. NightFreak the album is lousy with warm back beats and melodic guitars; although, hardcore vocals and tight drums still reign supreme. Album opener “Blackout” is dead serious … Read more

Death By Unga Bunga

Raw Muscle Power
Jansen Records (2025)

I’m pretty sure I became aware of Mike Krol when The Whiffs posted about playing some shows with him. Krol is a bit of an anomaly. Not only is he on Merge and collaborates with Mac Superchunk- a dream scenario imo- but he’s also been elusive of my fan boy attempts at cold dm’ing him about stuff even tho we … Read more