A MILLION VACATIONS

Of the 4 Max Webster releases in my collection, A Million Vacations is the most consistently enjoyable and engaging. This is a loosely organized concept record in that all the songs involve these "frost bitten Canadian boys" living it up on some sort of rock n' roll tour of the suncoast. Of all the tracks here, only Let Go The Line does not work into that lyrical framework. Not surprisingly, this is the standout track, as it comes from keyboardist Terry Watkinson. He is usually the one supplying the melodic prog ballad or two that you will find on any great Max Webster record. Otherwise, all the writing comes from the more Zappa influenced partnership of bandleader Kim Mitchell and surreal lyricist Pye Dubois.

Speaking of Zappa, the musicianship on this record will not disappoint if you are a fan of Frank. Although more associated with Rush, Max Webster had a sound that had more to do with Frank than with their mentors Geddy Alex and Neil. Kim Mitchell's complex guitar riffing and the bands limitless ensemble interplay combined with Pye Dubois stream of concioussnes sex filled imagery are the main factors of the groups identity.