The title of this album could refer to the varied musical careers of its progenitors or the collection of tracks thereon. Buck is most known as the drummer for Australian jazz-oriented minimalist / improv group The Necks as well as an extended list of recent albums exploring other areas of free improv. Nauseef has recorded with rock, fusion, and jazz bands since the early 1970s, heading incrementally left of center across the span of his lengthy discography. Both are percussionists, but here Buck largely sticks with guitars.
Indeed, the instrumentation is focused on Buck’s guitars (various types of electric and acoustic, as well as bass) and Nauseef on Asian bells and gongs. Despite this basis – which may come across as limiting at first blush – the music produced by this duo is rich due to the variety of sound sources as well as overdubbing.
On the majority of tracks, Buck employs melancholic strumming and arpeggiated chords accompanied by clangs, shaking, and scraping from Nauseef. The pace is deliberate and occasionally sparse with an emphasis on atmosphere and texture rather than melody or rhythm. Buck is not averse to engaging in abstractions, which fits well with Nauseef’s approach. Indeed, sometimes Nauseef’s rolling can be mistaken for feedback from Buck’s electric guitars.
Centered around the 29-minute As Far As We Don’t Know, Mongrels also includes several tracks in the 3-4 minute range. The album is a captivating example of spontaneous and largely unstructured arrangements. It is a strange ride and one well-suited for deep listening.
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