The Minneapolis, MN-based trio's fifth outing features more of the musicians' playful, rebellious spirit and enterprising methodologies, as the
Youth Oriented
motif is depicted in cartoonish fashion within the CD booklet. In addition, the artists' unique sound, consisting of alternative
jazz-rock
musings, has already spawned a rash of imitators within the modern
jazz
circuit. Nevertheless, the trio surges onward with more power-packed
rock
beats and flashy time changes. Notions of a
Sonic Youth
-type
outfit come to mind. Here, multi-reedman
Michael Lewis
solos above electric bassist
Erik Fratzke
's booming yet noticeably limber patterns and drummer
David King
's brawny rhythmic endeavors. The band tempers the flow on pieces such as
"The Landfall Planetarium,"
where
King
injects some hazy Mellotron voicings into the mix, translating into a slightly humorous effect. But they frequently up the ante, due to their gritty discourses amid elements of soul and chutzpah. Many of these works feature gradually climactic opuses and searing exchanges. Hence, a charismatic lot, with a nouveau approach to
music in general as this band traverses the road less traveled. Recommended. ~ Glenn Astarita