“Lundbom is a really imaginative guitarist…with a knack for throwing in dissonant chords at just the right times. He’s also no spotlight-hog – everyone contributes here, with outstanding playing from all concerned. Even when venturing into extended techniques, which they all do at times, they avoid being annoying or abrasive… ‘Jeremiah’ is an outstanding album, sure to be one of the year’s most memorable jazz releases.”
‘All About Jazz’ 03/17/15
“This song [‘Screamer’] will mess with your mind. You will need green juice and a lot of outdoor space after listening. More to make you scream tomorrow… The energy captured in this recording is wonderful to hear and the ensemble’s ability to spontaneously interact places them among the most exciting bands working today.”
Peter Margasak, ‘The Chicago Reader’ 03/06/15
“’Jeremiah’ is the latest in a series of impressive albums [Lundbom has] made with [Big Five Chord]… Lundbom’s searching solo [on ‘The Bottle’] has a nice harmonic ambiguity, drifting through the rugged groove with almost staggering force…the group delivers a raucous stream of energy characterized by knotty multilinear improvising; rambunctious solos coalesce and scrap with one another.”
Grego Applegate Edwards, ‘Gapplegate Guitar and Bass Blog’ 02/18/15
“[Lundbom] is an exceptional electric guitarist who needs to be listened to. He has a jagged style that is out in a linear way but rhythmically outstanding as well. …his guitar wielding is something to hear. …[‘Jeremiah’] is more of the gathering’s remarkable music, evolutionarily modern, a superb outcropping of where things have been going in the realm of advanced ‘jazz.'”
Dave Sumner, ‘Bird is the Worm’ 02/12/15
“Lundbom keeps things moving and keeps it random. His septet, stocked with musicians at home in this environment, help him retain a cohesion over seemingly disassociated parts. Best is when everything gets tangled up in patterns easy to follow and trace.”
Brent Black, ‘Bop-N-Jazz’ 02/09/15
“A meticulously nuanced free jazz attitude with a smoldering hard rock edge…[BVC is] truly one of the finest collectives working the scene. ‘Jeremiah’ is packed with variety and works well as both a cerebral and visceral vehicle of improvisational magic. [Lundbom] is an artistic chameleon… The key to success for ‘Jeremiah’ might simply be in expecting the unexpected yet the musical co-conspirators never get in there [sic] own way…a synergy most bands can only dream of.”
S. Victor Aaron, ‘Something Else’ 02/08/15
“Fringe-jazz warrior…Lundbom has no problem finding space for the supplementary talent on a band already bursting at the seams with talent. …’Jeremiah’ is the ‘jazziest’ Big Five Chord album yet but none of the Big Five Chord edge gets diminished in the process. The adventures continue with the same vigor and ingenuity as before.”
Tim Niland, ‘Music and More’ 02/03/15
“Lundbom is a fascinating figure on the modern jazz scene, releasing subversive and fascinating music. His memorable compositions and the generous amount of solo time allotted to his accompanists make for music that is strong and vibrant throughout. …a tremendously fun and exciting album to listen to, where Lundbom continually challenges the listener and the band, getting great results in the process.”
Chris Spector, ‘Midwest Record’ 01/31/15
“Sounding like an Actuel record that was never released, the gang appropriates 60s free jazz the same way a bunch of white boys have taken over the blues these days. Crazy stuff that guarantees an amphetamine rush.”
Ken Waxman, ‘New York City Jazz Record’ February 2015 & ‘Jazz Word’ 02/06/15
“[Lundbom] creates hard-swinging tunes with a sardonic edge. …There’s style besides snark on show here, Lundbom’s arrangements providing the sophisticated fillip to themes, which, on the surface, would appear to be little more than exercises in rock and raunch. …Big Five Chord’s music allows you to think while having a raucous good time.”