WHEN PUS COMES TO SHOVE

When this album came out in 1999, I was so curious to see how the combination of work among these musicians would sound like: an acrobatic drummer Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dregs), a talented bass guitar player John Myung (Dream Theater) and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater). By the time I did not know about Ty Tabor. For Myung and Sherinian of course we all know well in DT. The first spin, especially first track, made me confused about the music as probably I was expecting something truly prog that I could not get it immediately. Then I tried couple spins and removing my expectation of being prog or not, just enjoyed the music. And this is my view about this album .

"Standing In Line" is a straight forward hard rock song composed in relatively fast speed with a high driving rhythm section dominated by Sherinian's keyboard's work . Great guitar work: as rhythm section or solo that accompanies vocal line. It's an uplifting mood track especially when guitar takes its short solo in the middle of the song; with some flavor of southern rock. You would presumably need this track to elevate your emotion when gearing up to work or feeling down . or that sort of thing, basically. It's rocking the world man!

"Nothing To Say" offers a kind of break after hearing a rocking track. It's a mellow track with a blues based rhythm section characterized by bass guitar and guitar work. Keyboard fills in beautifully in this track. The song reminds me to the classic rock tunes of the 70s, composed with a modern sound. Ty Tabor sings nicely in classic rock style.

"Rock Balls / Destination Unknown" is opened with a dazzling drum work by Rod Morgenstein. Oh . what a wonderful opening piece man! It's an acrobatic drumming, I guess. It continues with a duo sounds play the same notes from guitar and guitar.There are a lot of short drum solo in transition segments between guitar and keyboard solo. Myung's bass guitar work plays dominant role as rhythm section. The song has some tempo changes as well as transition to quieter passages. The long sustain guitar solo is stunning. This track is excellent!

"Platt Opus" opens smoothly with a piano touch followed with full music led by keyboard / piano with some classical music influence. The intertwining sounds between guitar, bass guitar and keyboard is wonderful. The drum beats indicate the jazz influence for this track. Again, Ty Tabor demonstrates his great long sustain guitar solo augmented with piano and acrobatic drumming. Rod, you did a great job in this record! I really enjoy the drumming solo performed long enough in the transition pieces!

"I'm With You"'s rhythm section is characterized by organ/keyboard and guitar as main rhythm section. When voice line enters, the organ and guitar forms a soft riffs that later is augmented with dynamic drum work. Guitar solo is stunning. This song is blues based and it revolves around the seventies rock music - classic rock. The organ solo that appears at the end of the song is excellent!

"Blue Plate Special" is rather a jazz-fusion kind of song with great combination of keyboard and guitar works performed in a medium tempo. The music flows in relatively flat manner where there are minimum high and low points. But still . it's an enjoyable track.

"Chimes" starts with a nice piano solo followed with bass and keyboard work in mellow style. It's a jazz influenced track. Drums only involved at the end of the track. Nothing special about this track - for my personal taste; it's too flat, I think.

The music returns back to an upbeat tempo mood with "Willie Brown" which actually is a blues rock music with guitar as main rhythm augmented with piano work. The singing style is excellent. Starting in the middle of the track onwards, the music gives a stunning keyboard solo with a sudden tempo change into a faster style featuring guitar solo. It's a rocking style! It reminds me to the 70's blues rock band like Led Zeppelin. One of my favorite tracks.

"Bye Bye" is a mellow track in a blues rock style; the guitar work reminds me to bands like Bad Company. The long sustain guitar solo by Ty in the middle of the track has enriched the texture of this track.

"What About The Merch?" is an uplifting song that reminds me to the music of Beck, Appice and Bogart in the seventies. Yeah, I think the intro part reminds me to the song "Superstition" performed live by the trio sometimes dated back in the 70s. But this track is purely instrumental one with a great harmony of multiple solos: guitar, organ / clavinet augmented with dynamic drumming and great bass line. It's a very enjoyable track, especially if you appreciate the classic rock music.

Overall, I would rate this album with a 3.5 stars. Some tracks are truly excellent ones. But on musicianship, they are all great musicians! I do enjoy this album very much. - Keep on rocking! Keep on progging!

Yours progressively

GW - Indonesia

Note:

I was triggered to write this review in relation to John Myung's appearance in Jakarta for YAMAHA Bass Clinic in 25 Feb 2005 and ASIAN BEAT 2004 Grand Final Asia in 26 Feb 2005 where Mr. Myung will be one of the judges. Well, I cannot wait to see one of my favorite bass player! This is the second time Myung visit Indonesia. Yeah, I will be there, Mr. Myung! The proceeds of the ticket sales will be donated for Tsunami victims in Aceh, Indonesia. Hey c'mon prog heads; I haven't heard any of you are planning to do a concert for tsunami in my country. How come? A lot of international jazz/ pop artists (James Brown, Incognito, Jeff Lorber, George Duke, etc. etc.) will do a charity concert in Jakarta for three days in a row, March 2005. What about prog man??? How prog are you?