THE SCREW-LOOSE ENTERTAINMENT

Russian outfit DISEN GAGE was formed in Moscow in 1999 by students Konstantin Mochalov, Yuri Alaverdyan, and Nikolai Syrtsev.Soon drummer Eugeny Kudryashov joined them and the band gained some decent popularity playing at college festivals and recording an amount of self-produced cassettes.During this period the three main members continued their studies as researchers on Bio-Organic Chemistry and the band was set on ice.Despite the difficulties they released their debut ''The Screw-Loose Entertainment'' in 2004 on RAIG,after which oroginal guitarist Yuri Alaverdyan left to continue his academic career in Sweden.

STYLE: While the band states as being an Experimental Prog Rock act,I definitely deny with this term.The reason is that after so many listenings of bands being heavily influenced by the mid-70's Crimson-esque style of prog,the term ''experimental'' just fades away.This is guitar-driven Prog Rock strongly rooted in Jazz-Fusion with touches of Ethnic Music.Almost totally instrumental (except some scarce spoken words), ''The Screw-Loose Entertainment'' runs at 40 minutes offering fusion-esque musicianship with lots of breaks,cold atmospheres but also a decent amount of melody.Bass work can range from solid rhytmic patterns to almost funky grooves,while the guitar work with a Fripp-ian influence varies from heavy parts to melodic passages.Notice some interesting guitar distortions and effects,which make the album sounding a bit experimental.Drum work is also quite solid,without being anything excepttional and follows consistently the rest of the musicians.

INFLUENCES/SOUNDS LIKE: With a guitarist playing his instrument sitting on a chair during the lives,can you imagine something else than ROBERT FRIPP's KING CRIMSON as an influence?Similar bands are also BI KYO RYAN,DIFICIL EQUILIBRIO,TRYO and maybe CABEZAS DE CERA.

PLUS: Excellent bass work,it really stands out!The use of some effects,light keys and guitar distortions prevents the album to sound mechanical.Good thing is the decent amount of melodies here and there.Musicianship is tight and really captivating.Nice alternation between slow- and fast tempos.Production is above average.

MINUS: Another band with a somewhat unpersonal style,the guitar work can only bring ROBERT FRIPP in mind.The tracks sound rather similar due to the limited instrumentation and the specific style of guitar playing.

WILL APPEAL TO:...anyone after guitar-based Prog Rock,KING CRIMSON-influenced music and a nice entry for someone who hasn't been in touch with a similar style of progressive music.

CONCLUSION: The same story again as in lot of cases.A band with obvious talent but without daring a step forward.A couple of tracks with added saxes are a good guide for a richer sound and the future.Good album overall,but not something ground-breaking.3 stars.