★★★★ 1/2
“Blessed with one of the most talented and exciting backing bands in jazz today, guitarist Jon Lundbom returns with a mammoth 2-CD live epic. ‘Liverevil’ captures the band in performance on their hometown stomping grounds, Brooklyn Fire Proof, in front of a rightfully enthusiastic crowd. …Big Five Chord has a well-defined sound that combines elements of post-bop, free jazz, and jazz-rock but sounds like ‘none of the above.’ Part of this is the organic, jam-centric nature of the music. If you have guys like Lundbom, Jon Irabagon, and Bryan Murray in your band; you want to hear them solo! …Uniformly a great listen.”
Chris Haines, ‘The Free Jazz Collective’ 04/17/14
★★★★ 1/2
“Lundbom’s clear musical vision continues to make him the original artist that he is. The sound of the band is top notch and the tunes are played well throughout. The pieces are allowed to breathe in the live environment… Lundbom’s playing is excellent… On occasion the music feels barely contained by the structures and the playing threatens to burst the forms wide open. …There’s a buzz about this album and the excitement in the atmosphere comes across in the recording, and not just from the whoops and calls from the audience, but tangibly, so that it’s very presence can be felt within the music itself. This is a great album.”
Robert Iannapollo, ‘The New York City Jazz Record’ April 2014
“[Big Five Chord] is clearly the equal in improvisational prowess [to Mostly Other People do the Killing]… Interestingly, the two discs [of ‘Liverevil’] have very different emphases…it almost sounds like two different bands and that’s not easy to do. But an odd penchant for the group is seeming to relish unexpected endings. ‘Liverevil’ is a worthwhile document of a band that should be better known.”
George Harris, ‘Jazz Weekly’ 03/20/14
“Lundbom is caught in concert here for two sets leading a rollicking and swinging band… Exciting, often swinging…the indulgences make for a fun night in Brooklyn.”
Tim Niland, ‘Music and More’ 03/18/14
“Lundbom leads a wonderful band on this in concert LP… They really do not let up for the full length of this double album… Uniformly excellent and a wonderful example of the type of forward thinking jazz that leaves the jazz-is-dead naysayers in the dust.”
Bob Gendron, ‘Downbeat’ April 2014
★★★★
“[‘Liverevil’] teems with elevated levels of bold intensity, imagination, prowess and playing… Anchored by Lundbom’s Olympic-caliber guitar gymnastics…the group’s coordinated performances are as notable for what’s present as much as for what isn’t – namely, any loss of direction, lack of focus or temptation to solo at the expense of sacrificing structural integrity. As the finest improvisers often do, the instrumentalists here make controlled chaos seem natural, while simultaneously paying mind to the illusion that anything can happen next – meaning that every stray note and subtle tempo shift matters …The ‘punk jazz’ label occasionally affixed to the ensemble seemingly overlooks its tonal authoritativeness and way with quiet passages (“Tick·Dog”‘) that trace a direct line back to the exotic beauty of Miles Davis’ ‘In A Silent Way.'”
D. Oscar Groomes, ‘O’s Place Jazz Magazine’ 02/10/14
“Each set [captures] the spontaneous creativity of guitarist/composer Jon Lundbom [& Big Five Chord]. They stretch out across all boundaries challenging listeners to enter their zone. Those present took the leap and truly enjoyed it.”
Friday Firehouse Phun
‘Five Chord Friday! ‘Five Chord Friday! Big Five Chord Friday!!!
S. Victor Aaron, ‘Something Else’ 01/27/14
“Lundbom and his motley bunch have been bringing together the intensity of heavy rock with the intensity of jazz in unpredictable ways for five albums… BVC has always been immediate and living right in the moment, so this two set gig at Brooklyn Fire Proof is not only logical, it might have been long overdue. …By picking out the highlights of the prior albums, tossing in a couple of curveballs and playing in its natural, live environs, JL&BVC’s latest is the earliest release anyone should acquire if they get curious about this group’s music. And with all that firepower and creativity gushing forth from Liverevil, there is plenty to be curious about.”
Stuart Derdeyn, ‘The Province’ 01/21/14
“A double live CD from a band acclaimed for its ability to channel acid rock aggression with quirky swing, heavy bop and more. The title is both a play on the Miles Davis and Black Sabbath live albums of the same name and…tunes such as ‘Bring Forth The Battalions’ feature guitar workouts worthy of either disc. …Fusion heads take note.”