SUCH FINE PARTICLES OF THE UNIVERSE

My introduction to this band was in the form of their 2017 masterpiece, Edit Peptide. What was remarkable about Edit Peptide was that it was first album release by the band since their 2003 debut! Apparently, the band members had quite a bit of trouble getting together to play, write, record, edit, and package their next album, but I'm glad they did.

Such Fine Particles of the Universe is a great album in its own right, though looking back through the lens of their sophomore release one can see how much their compositional and lyrical ideas have progressed since then. All of the songs are very cleverly worded, titled, and performed. Some of the music here is very melodic like CHEER-ACCIDENT [1. "Miscreant Citizen" (8.75/10), 2. "Be Together" (9.25/10), 6. "TV Paid Off" (8.5/10), 7. "Help Yourself to a Neighbor" (8.25/10), 11. "Potential People" (8.75/10), and 12. "Cells Out" (9/10)] while others are more avant-garde and comedic as if inspired by KING CRIMSON, Frank Zappa, Devo, or THE CARDIACS [3. "Dancing with Your Pants Down" (9/10), 4. "She's No Vegetarian" (10/10), 8. "Forever Endeavor" (4.25/5), 9. "Heavenly Scared So" (8.5/10), and 10. "Your Disease Is Nicer" (5/5)] or a combination of the two [5. "Doll Hammer" (8.75/10)] As a matter of fact, I'd say the King Crimson sound palette and Cardiacs singing-lyric style get stronger and more pronounced as you go through the album.

Another big difference between this album and Edit Peptide is the brevity of these songs--only two songs longer than five minutes and several barely around the three minute mark.

My top Three Songs: the hilarious 4. "She's No Vegetarian" (10/10); the incredibly tight weaves of 2. "Be Together" (9.25/10), and; 12. "Cells Out" (9/10).

B+4.5 stars; a near-masterpiece of clever, very witty, truly progressive rock music.