TAGO MAGO

This album is loads of fun. It's one of those that I like to listen to when I'm doing other things, whether it be driving, chores, homework ect... It's one of the things that I love about this album. I can multitask if I want. Not that the music is so simple that it doesn't distract me. If I decide that I want to LISTEN to this album, I will trip out. On the other hand, it makes for a good soundtrack for living life. Driving with this album on the stereo lets me focus on the road as it passes along making me feel as if I were on a track giving me more control of the vehicle. It may be an illusion, but if you want a smooth ride, pop this into the cd player or mp3 player or whatever. While im in the car, whenever Mushroom comes on, the bass on the stereo begins to sound distorted as if I had the volume all the way up. Granted, I do like to listen to my music at a very high volume in the car, but the bass never sounds as bassy as when this song come on. This is the main reason why I love this song in particular. The bass feels good, physically. Oh Yeah is the song with the most drive in the whole album. I turn the volume back up when this song comes on and I'm in the car. At this point, I am filled with the urge to speed. I imagine myself passing cars and frequently changing lanes, leaving everyone in the dust. Of course I resist the temptation. Not only is it illegal, but even if I left a group of cars in the dust, I would be bound to catch up to another group of cars driven by law-abiding citizens. Oh Yeah sounds like Jaki Liebezeit came up with a beat in the moment, but he couldn't quite figure out where else it would go, so he just kept it going. It's still a trip and a half though. Endurance, for me, is as impressive as technicality if it's done properly. Halleluhwah, has an infectious and steady beat that is repetitive, but not made for dancing, unless you're tripping on heroine(do not do). What stands out mostly about this song is the mood. Their is a sense of melancholy that provokes my mind to ponder those things that really matter in the present moment. This makes for a great song. This thought provoking element to the music is what make me love this album so much. In the absense of flare, there is all this extra room in the music where your own emotions fit. Aumge and Peking O don't count. Don't play these unless you're feeling pretentious or if you want to sleep. Too bad Bring Me Coffee or Tea had to be placed where it was. They should have put it on another album. Regardless of the nonsense of the second LP, I cannot say that this is a bad album for the first LP stands out on its own. I view the second disc as a bonus. In the end, if you need a break from the constant noodling of of all these technical progressive rock bands for awhile without losing your dignity, listen to this album. I give it five stars for you cannot have too much of the same thing in your prog collection and you have to be willing to accept the fact that that inspiration cannot be denied if the art is good. There must be a balance anyways.