"Historically, ensembles combining taishōgoto and bagpipes (at least inside the milieu of “jazz”) have been on the tame side. The Winkler Twins, Dagnabbit, CUZ and other such units pandered to the bowtie set so exclusively that many people have all but dismissed the instruments as hopelessly moldy or even (in the words of critic Milo Fine) “tools of fascism and complacency.” That said, it is my pleasure to announce that the duo of William “Bill” Nace and Dave “David” Watson has made a mighty effort hereon to liberate these instruments from the yoke of yokelism.

Nace is a Philadelphia-based wizard of avant-string tomfoolery with a recording history stretching back to Vampire Belt (with Chris Corsano) in the early Oughts. Watson is an NYC-based New Zealand ex-pat whose multi-instrumental genius was first evidenced with the Primitive Art Group in the '80s. Now, with On Bats, the pair have set out to right the wrongs of generations of the dull ass taishōgoto/bagpipes artists who preceded them. The taishōgoto is, of course, a Japanese stringed instrument perhaps best described as a cross between a zither and a typewriter. Bagpipes are...well...pipes with a bag attached. Both “axes” have generally been played by men in skirts attempting to provoke jollity in other cross-dressing fellers, but Bill and David are here to show us there is another way. A better way.

Using their respective instruments to create both long-form tones and berserk machine-like squeedles, Nace and Watson create a varied and surreal aural landscape that shifts contours and colors with ease. The way they combine voices here often manifests as a sonic analogy to William Burroughs “Third Mind” effect. While taishōgoto and bagpipes are usually thought to have radically different sounds, the manner with these two handle them here can sometimes make it difficult to figure out from whence particular passages emanate. These parts, where one drones while the other wiggles, are some of my favorite bits. But there really isn’t a dull moment anywhere. Even when Nace whips out his harmonica!

I'm a bit sad the epic track, “Oracle,” is presented as a download-only “bonus.” But is that keeps things affordable, then who am I to bellyache? Just don't forget to play it. There's a fever that Bill and David manage to create on this one that will drive you nuts. In a good way. There's not always a good way. But this time there is. And, as they say, it's “bats.” Of course, there are some duds who will claim this is not “jazz” the way they define it, but that's okay. The term is fluid and can be applied any way that anyone wants. If you wanna claim it's aleatory “new music” or some kind of example of “post-rock-noise-improv,” go ahead. They're your fucking lips." - Byron Coley