Praxis is one of those bands that knows how to make noise in all the right—or some might say, wrong—ways. With their raucous track "Turn Me Out," this avant-garde music collective is anything but your average band churning out predictable pop hits. Formed in the late 1980s in New York City, Praxis started as a visionary project led by the innovative bassist and producer, Bill Laswell. The group is as eclectic as you can imagine, bringing together the likes of guitar maestro Buckethead, funk drummer Brain, and turntable wizard Mix Master Mike.
This particular track, "Turn Me Out," was released in 1994 as part of the album "Metatron." It immediately became a testament to Praxis's unique style: a frenetic mix of genres like funk, jazz, rock, and electronic music, boldly composed to unsettle the status quo. And let's be clear, considering today's sea of uninspired, cookie-cutter tracks, "Turn Me Out" doesn't try to be polite or play by any conventional rules.
Why should we care about one song from almost three decades ago? Because "Turn Me Out" is more than music; it's an experience. It captures the wild and tumultuous zeitgeist of a time when music didn't aim to sedate, but to provoke thought and energy. In a world full of fluff and passive consumption, having music that challenges the listener is as refreshing as it is rare.
The Lineup That Shocks: Imagine this—Bill Laswell, known for weaving together cultures and soundscapes, leads the pack. Then you've got Buckethead, that enigmatic guitarist who would shred through any cotton-candy pop melody and turn it into a symphony of calculated chaos. Brain, who keeps the beat almost hypnotically, doesn’t just drum; he elevates. And how can we forget Mix Master Mike, who turns turntablism into high art? This lineup is the dream team of those who refuse to bow to musical conformity.
A Genre-Bending Symphony: "Turn Me Out" delights in its innate ability to defy categorization. Is it rock? Electronic? Jazz-funk? The answer is yes, yes, and yes. It’s the musical equivalent of spinning a globe and stopping at a random spot—an adventure in every sense. It takes talent to make chaos sound this cohesive; it takes genius to make it brilliant.
Sonic Anarchy as Art: While 'anarchy' might be a dirty word in political circles, in the musical realm of Praxis, it’s an art form. "Turn Me Out" isn’t a song that you can hum absentmindedly. Quite frankly, it doesn’t want to be background music. Instead, it demands your attention, much like any good debate or any riveting piece of art.
Rejection of the Status Quo: Here's the kicker—this song, like much of Praxis’s work, shows why blindly adhering to tradition in art is nothing short of a creative death sentence. This track doesn't just sit there; it paces impatiently, daring conventional audio experiences to keep up.
Groundbreaking Production: Recorded in 1994, "Turn Me Out" displays production quality that was both innovative and emblematic of its time. It’s akin to using technology of the era to paint a vivid picture in an era before polished musical software palettes.
The Emotion Complexity: If music is supposed to evoke, then "Turn Me Out" hits the mark and then some. There's exhilaration woven with layers of tension; energy paired with an unsettling undercurrent. Unlike a feel-good chart-topper, this track isn’t out to make you comfortable.
Cultural Commentary: Here we find something every art form aspires to—commentary. In its aggressive riffs and schizophrenic tempo changes, it channels a critique of excessive consumerism and sanitized mass culture. It feels like Praxis is shouting at us to wake up, as only authentic artists can.
A Fight Against Mediocrity: If you’re searching for straightforward melodies, you’re about to be blindsided. "Turn Me Out" audaciously scoffs in the face of mediocrity, pushing complex rhythms and rich soundscapes that reward active listeners.
Classic Yet Timeless: Despite being released nearly thirty years ago, "Turn Me Out" feels as fresh and relevant today as when it first dropped. Its refusal to date itself alongside musical trends solidifies its place in the pantheon of truly timeless music.
For The Maverick Listener: As the song pours through your speakers, it feels like Praxis is challenging you to rethink your own music-laden comfort zones. It's not easy listening, nor is it comfort food for your ears. It's for those who have enough independence of thought to appreciate something that doesn’t simply echo the status quo.
The enduring allure of Praxis and "Turn Me Out" lies in its unapologetic embrace of creativity that doesn't cater to whims of mass appeal. Whether or not they sell out arenas is irrelevant. What's more important is that they continue to create melodies that challenge what music can—and should—be.