CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO WITH TONY LEVIN & PAT MASTELOTTO: CG3 + 2

The crisp acoustic guitar sound of the opening track is fantastic - the layers fit well on each other, the musicianship is high and the atmosphere is strong. Now it will repeat itself thirteen times!

This sort of relative to King Crimson (3 guitar students of Fripp's, plus an ex-member, plus a current member) is able to combine experimental recording techniques with very good rock/pop writing. Unfortunately, there is hardly any dynamic shift in the atmosphere; any section that largely stands out from the others; there's no defining moment on the album, and there's nothing phenomenal that will make it remembered. That being said, it's still a very good rock/pop album with strong progressive influences that will be greatly appealing to any acoustic guitar nut. They are able to communicate and express themselves fully without lyrics. (Also, their version of Yes' Heart of the Sunrise and their rendition of Crimso's 21st Century Schizoid Man [entitled Zundoko-Bushi here] are both very well done.)

(Post Script: Am I the only one who finds this music to be reminiscent of the soundtrack to the old Sonic the Hedgehog games?)