I remember when I first picked up Such Fine Particles of the Universe a year or so ago. It was a record that really blew me away.. a wealth of creativity, technical skill, musical and lyrical sophistication, and attention to detail. I'm listening to it again right now, and I got an urge to come here and share it with everybody else.. as these guys are among those bands that are criminally overlooked without any logical explanation.
This is art-rock played in wonderfully expert fashion, with unbelievable arrangements and songs swirling around within songs.. a little Gentle Giant, some Frank Zappa, a dose of King Crimson, perhaps a touch of Echolyn, and a definite nod to impossibly diverse bands like Mr. Bungle and Estradasphere. The music here is dense, off the wall, and full of adventure and risks.
A certain James Swensen-Flagg puts on quite a spectacle with some of the most ingenious and masterful drum work this side of Terry Bozzio, laying down constantly evolving rhythms and traversing time and meter with no regard for the stability of his own brain.. he's accompanied by a solid and equally tasty bass foundation. The two guitars are never relegated to "rhythm and lead", but are always having fun together as one cohesive whole. Keys add a cool touch, and the lyrics are surprisingly dark.. which is in stark contrast to the up-beat and energetic atmosphere of the music. They are filled with sometimes questionable but thought-provoking subject matter, double-meanings, humor, and interesting ideas around every corner.
The external packaging is unique and well-done, and comes with a beefy booklet. The production is also very good. It's obvious that these guys labored over every obscure detail of this recording.. a genuine show of concern about the quality of the music that we listen to.
If you're a fan of creativity, inspiration, diversity, and intelligence in modern rock.. buy this album today.
Bubblemath for president!~
This is art-rock played in wonderfully expert fashion, with unbelievable arrangements and songs swirling around within songs.. a little Gentle Giant, some Frank Zappa, a dose of King Crimson, perhaps a touch of Echolyn, and a definite nod to impossibly diverse bands like Mr. Bungle and Estradasphere. The music here is dense, off the wall, and full of adventure and risks.
A certain James Swensen-Flagg puts on quite a spectacle with some of the most ingenious and masterful drum work this side of Terry Bozzio, laying down constantly evolving rhythms and traversing time and meter with no regard for the stability of his own brain.. he's accompanied by a solid and equally tasty bass foundation. The two guitars are never relegated to "rhythm and lead", but are always having fun together as one cohesive whole. Keys add a cool touch, and the lyrics are surprisingly dark.. which is in stark contrast to the up-beat and energetic atmosphere of the music. They are filled with sometimes questionable but thought-provoking subject matter, double-meanings, humor, and interesting ideas around every corner.
The external packaging is unique and well-done, and comes with a beefy booklet. The production is also very good. It's obvious that these guys labored over every obscure detail of this recording.. a genuine show of concern about the quality of the music that we listen to.
If you're a fan of creativity, inspiration, diversity, and intelligence in modern rock.. buy this album today.
Bubblemath for president!~
