Best Laid Plans (David Torn album)

Best Laid Plans is a 1996 album by American guitarist and composer David Torn. It marks a shift in Torn's work towards more structured, song-oriented pieces, while still retaining his signature atmospheric and textural soundscapes.

The album features a core band of Torn on guitars and loops, Mick Karn on fretless bass, and Bill Bruford on drums. It also includes contributions from Geoffrey Gordon on percussion and various sampled instruments.

Best Laid Plans explores themes of disillusionment, ambition, and the fragility of human endeavors, often reflected in the song titles and musical arrangements. The album is characterized by its blend of experimental rock, ambient textures, and jazz influences. Torn's distinctive guitar playing, often heavily processed with loops and effects, is a central element, creating layered and dynamic soundscapes. Bruford's intricate and unconventional drumming provides a unique rhythmic foundation. Karn's distinctive fretless bass adds melodic and harmonic complexity.

Critical reception to Best Laid Plans was generally positive, with reviewers praising its innovative sound, musicianship, and atmospheric qualities. It is considered by many to be one of Torn's most accessible and fully realized albums.