BANTAM TO BEHEMOTH

Avestin notes near the end of his excellent review of this album that if your into any of Dan Britton's other projects (DELUGE GRANDER & CEREBUS EFFECT) or another band called PANZERPAPPA then this is recommended. Well for whatever reason I have had a hard time getting into two thirds of these bands, and so it should be no surprise that this album while impressive fails to capture my heart. By the way I love the Avant / Jazz / Fusion band CEREBUS EFFECT. Anyway this album is impressive, there's lots to like but for whatever reason I have a hard time paying attention and enjoying much of this. Maybe it's just too much for me that's all. I'll give a brief analysis.

"Birds Flying Into Buildings" is probably my favourite with that Zeuhl inspired beginning and then the jazzy section that follows with mellotron. This song has my full attention. "Terra Fire" has vocals and I must say they sound distant and processed at times, I like when they sound more normal. Some nice bass 2 minutes in and lots of mellotron. "Tunguska" opens with some atmosphere. Flute comes in followed by piano then vocals. I like the drum work and then the piano before 4 minutes. "Caution Congregates And Forms A Storm" is such a good title for the longest song on here. The piano sounds really good as the mellotron flows. The tempo picks up 3 minutes in,some deep bass follows. Lots of piano 9 1/2 minutes in as it settles somewhat. "Chronicle Of The Invisible River Of Stone" opens with more piano and we get some guest female vocals a minute in. I like the piano / percussion melody 7 minutes in.

"Yucatan 65:The Agitation Of The Mass" opens with acoustic guitar as flute joins in. Mellotron is plentiful in this tune as well. I like the sound better after 7 minutes to the end where it becomes darker and more intense, sort of like the start of the album. "Chakra Khan" (haha) is uptempo with horns, vocals, keys and drums standing out. Guitar before 3 minutes. "Battalion" has a great intro as vocals come in. Check out the piano and drumming after 2 minutes. The sax is prominant 7 minutes in and the drumming is outstanding. Mellotron ends it. "Sunken City, Sunny Day" is mellow with piano, mellotron, acoustic guitar and spoken word samples. Cool song to end it.

At over 69 minutes in length and with all the variety and amazing instrumental work there's lots here for everyone to enjoy. Highly recommended to all (except for me).