Europeans
Hans Ulrik and drummer
Jonas Johansen joined forces with veteran bassist
Steve Swallow to produce
Tin Pan Aliens. They mesh easily with one another, bringing out the best in one another's compositions.
Swallow, who has written a number of songs that have been recorded by other musicians, contributed the gentle waltz "Willow" and the turbocharged "Euripedes' Pants," the latter highlighted by
Ulrik's most impassioned playing of the date.
Ulrik's frenetic bop vehicle "Beeps" is a fairly standard reworking of "I Got Rhythm" changes and "Beams" is a lyrical ballad.
Johansen composed "Mosse," which is set up in waltz time and features the drummer, along with the catchy calypso "It Will All Get Better," which showcases the bassist extensively. This is an enjoyable disc that never falls into a predictable pattern. ~ Ken Dryden