Laszlo Spatchcock has returned with a new direction and new sound. Unlike 2019's Nice Music for Morons, Schizofrizzi abandons improvised segments in favour of fully composed pieces. The music shifts effortlessly between EDM-style beats and acoustic drum-fueled passages in almost every song, defying categorisation while inventing a new style all its own. Rupert von Nutwood's many sax flavours are right up front and centre for most of the pieces, while Chris Christ weaves frantically between synth bass, bass guitar and upright bass like his life depends on it.
The album leans more into both pop and jazz than previous releases feeling, sometimes within the same song, quirky, mournful and often beautiful. Mary Contrary's piano has never sounded so good and her playing is a delight on this record. And speaking of sound, Todd Brunner has produced not only the best-sounding Spatchcock record but also one of the best-sounding on the label. The band bases one of the pieces on themes from Todd's material from the 1990s, so the connection between band and producer is close.
As has always been the case with this band, the music here is almost impossible to describe. It must be heard. Laszlo Spatchcock defies genre. This is a complex record, but also one that is joyous and fun. I had the pleasure of playing on it and those sessions were an absolute blast. The enthusiasm of the band for these recordings was infectious. So if you like the idea of catchy, melodic, fun, poppy, jazzy, mostly instrumental music then you have come to the right place. This is an impressive new direction for the band and I, for one, could not be happier. It's a delicious album and you should not hesitate to devour it without delay.
– Atorva Statini, Lushwood Hills musician
