The Complex is the second studio album by Blue Man Group, released in 2003. It is a concept album that takes place in two separate worlds: the world of the rock concert, as in the song "Time to Start," and the alienating world of the modern urban workplace, as in the songs "Sing Along," "The Current", and "The Complex." Both worlds are then tied together in the song "What Is Rock," which contrasts the celebratory "loss of identity" within a rock performance with the dehumanizing "loss of identity" within the workplace. These themes were illustrated during performance by animations that told the story of a faceless worker eventually escaping "up to the roof" and discovering their true self.
The Complex produced three singles, and debuted at #60 on the Billboard charts. As with the previous album, a DVD-Audio version was released, containing a high-definition (96 kHz/24-bit) 5.1 surround sound mix. AllMusic reviewer Robert L. Doerschuk states "Although its inspirations, musical and conceptual, trace as far back as Kraftwerk, The Complex serves as a reminder that modern devices and glistening production values can be applied to the most primal creative instincts, if utilized by the right — blue — hands".[2]
Jeff Turlik - guitar (1,2,5,8,9,12-15), zither (14,15)
Todd Waetzig - percussion (11)
Jordan Cohen, Matthew Kriemelman, Jeff Tortora, Vince Verderame, Todd Waetzig, Nick White - Vegas Drum Army (1,2,5,6,7 & 13)
Dave Anania, Chris Bowen, Wes Day, Jeffrey Doornbos, Randall Jaynes, Josh Matthews, Ian Pai, Crag Rodriguez, Pete Simpson, Pete Starrett, Clem Waldman - NY Drum Army (2,5,15)
Production
Producers: Todd Perlmutter, Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton, Chris Wink
Executive producer: Jeff Skillen
Engineers: Bill Bookheim, Joe Hogan, Joe O'Connell, Todd Perlmutter, Andrew Schneider
Mixing: Rich Costey, Andrew Schneider
Mastering: Bob Ludwig
Production supervisor: Jeff Levison
Production coordination: Jaime Ramírez
Product development: Michael Quinn, Jeni Ardizzone West
Programming: Dan the Automator, Todd Perlmutter
Computer engineering: Larry Heinemann
Vocal producers: Kip Kubin, Tony Miracle, Venus Hum
Sampling: Kid Koala
Arrangers: Peter Moore, Ian Pai, Dave Steele, Jeff Turlik
Studio assistant: Mike Napolitano
Art consultant: Dan the Automator
Technician: Mike Napolitano
Drum technician: Carl Plaster
Art direction: Marcus Miller, Charles Tyler Ensemble
