These guys are considered a prog band, in the jazz rock end of that equation. Well, I have to admit that I have two albums by them to review, and this is the first I've heard. Based on this one, I don't know if I really believe they are prog, but I bow to the will of the masses and land them there. Perhaps when I digest the other CD I'll agree. Now, all that said, the blend of bluesy rock here with jazz and other elements is unique. These guys sound like no one else really. This is a killer album that has some moments that are definitely prog rock and fusion. Overall, though it's more a psychedelically tinged blues rock album that is quite effective.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2017 Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
The Man
This comes in with a cool stripped down psychedelic rock texture. The vocals bring a bit of a bluesy element to it. It's not until around the two and a half minute mark when this rises up from much more than a bass, drums and voice arrangement. The change comes in with vibe solo. After that the cut gets into more full on rocking territory as the vocals rejoin.
Hold Me Back
The jam that opens this has some prog and psychedelia mixed with blues rock. This thing is pretty cool. It has some intriguing angles and textures.
Time to Die
There is more of that bluesy rock element here. In some ways this makes me think of early Hawkwind, too.
Red Glow
Hard rocking stuff, this is psychedelia meets jam band. It's a high energy rocker.
San Antone
Now, this has a lot more prog and particularly some jazz. Sure, the psychedelia and bluesy rock is still all over this, but there are other elements at play. I love the bass line and the killer piano work.
Government Man
More hard rocking stuff, this has some cool grooves to it.
Money Bag
Some killer bass work opens this in a rather jazzy way. Other elements rise up to greet it. The jamming that ensues as the guitar goes rather crazy is very much a fusion meets prog kind of thing. This leans toward Rock In Opposition in a lot of ways. It's not until around the six and a half minute mark that we get any vocals. The cut drops back to more of a straightforward tune for those vocals.
Sittin' Back Easy
A bit mellower, this has a lot of psychedelic rock along with blues rock and more built into it. The rocking movement near the end brings it closer to the proggy end of things.
Bonus Tracks
Hanging Rope
Drums lead out here, and they move into some killer jamming from there. It's another that lands in RIO territory. There is some pretty crazed fusion instrumental work on this screamer. It works out to more of a straight ahead rocker later in the cut. This is close to fifteen minutes in length. That gives them a lot of opportunity for varying sections. They bring it back out into more jazzy territory after the mainstream rocking vocal segment. It eventually resolves to that bluesy rocking movement for the final vocals of the tune. There is one final blast of jazz rock at the end. .
Love Me
Vibes really contribute to the jazzy nature of this number. It's a great merging of psychedelic rock and jazz even beyond that. It turns out into some more smoking bluesy rock at times. The guitar solo movement is purely on fire. The ending segment of the cut includes a cool jam complete with vibe solo.
Government Man
Jazz rock and blues rock merge on this cool number. I love the bass work, but the vibe playing is also worthy of specific mention.
