Pianist John Escreet's meteoric rise into the pantheon of forward-thinking jazz composers has everything to do with his understanding of the fast-paced way of life that seems to have overtaken much of society. Everything is absorbed in little bites, quick flashes, and small doses by the younger generations that have been brought up in this short-attention-span world, and Escreet's music is accepting of this fact. However, it doesn't bow down to the idea that these quick flashes of information can't be connected or tied together within some sort of thematic, rhythmic or emotional netting. The Age We Live In is proof that he can have it both ways.

Brief snapshots of industrial sound, like the 30-second "Intro," "Interlude" and "Outro," are the most obvious example of Escreet's enthusiasm for quick bursts of musical thought, but the entire album is really built on an ever-shifting column of thought and sound. The title track, lasting nearly eleven minutes, is a wondrous slice of information overload, where ideas collide like fists in a boxing match. Some might just see the pain in this activity, but those who understand boxing can appreciate the beauty in the barbarity.

In other places, Escreet allows the strong personalities of his musicians to define where the music will go. Guitarist