SNAFU

Probably the place to begin and end your East of Eden experience. The more psych-rock of their debut has not aged very well. In contrast, Snafu is an engagihg listen every time. I think about how Kansas' song "Leftoverture" was a series of stitched-together musical ideas and favorite warm up jams; maybe because we have become so familiar with that great piece that it all seems to naturally flow together. But, of course, you can certainly hear the not so subtle transitions within the piece that one could argue make it sound exactly the way it was made. With Snafu I get that same feeling, but the changes that occur (the many that don't build on the theme, that just start a new one) seem very exciting. That anticipation of changes of tempo is, dare I say enthralling. This is a real solid album, and any critique I've read about lack of cohesion is exactly what is great about it. Lots of musical ideas to consume....and in the end, just like Leftoverture, it all seems just as it should be. Adding to the many melodies and anti-melodies explored here are an array of fascinating instruments that add a non-western flavor that is quite exotic to these New York ears. I listen to a lot of prog and I keep coming back to this. Other reviewers have done a great job with the song by song rundown. Listen with a nice system for max affect.