TRIPTYCH

What is so impressive about these artists is how fast and how far they've developed and matured as both musicians (all of them of multiple instruments) as well as how far they've come as orchestrators (and performers) of what has become quite complex music. Matt Stober has continued to hone his skills, but more, he's matured so much in the compositional department--learning that less is more is sometimes the wisest choice rather than all flash and pyrotechnics. Plus, the many-layered full-band textures that he's in charge of (he is, after all, the leader of the band) never fail to have a very coherent and pleasing sound overall (i.e. it's not all cacophony and noodling for noodling's sake). But the instrumental skills attained by both Quinn and Ben Coniguliaro in such a short period of time is nothing short of jaw-dropping. (Try listening to their 2015/16 music on their Mud Moths releases--back when they were first putting their music out there for the world to hear). Three truly gifted artists!

The album is all instrumental with Quinn playing basses (such interesting playing style and choices!), Ben commanding the drum kit (and I do mean COMMANDING!), and Matt providing the layers of guitars over the top. Though each instrumentalist warrants the listener's attention, the overall tapestries of each song are quite beautiful and melodic. The sound of this album reminds me a lot (in many places) of the work of Chicago-based band MONOBODY (which once again begs the question: Is this kind of music Post Rock or Jazz-Rock Fusion--or some kind of Post Jazz-Rock Fusion?), and yet they are often creating music that is very much all their own. Plus, with this album, Triptych, the music seems to get better the further you progress into it.

Favorite pieces: the light, upbeat MONOBODY feel of 2. "Collisions Pt. II" (5:26) (9.5/10); the DIF JUZ-like 5. "Passageways Pt. II" (3:31) (9/10); the wonderfully melodic and hook-laden 6. "Passageways Pt. III" (7:00) (14.25/15); 7. "Water Caustics Pt. I" (5:03) (9/10); the Al DiMeola familiarity of 8. "Water Caustics Pt. II" (4:45) (8.875/10); the smooth, masterful drumming of the early PAT METHENY-like 9. "Water Caustics Pt. III" (6:26) (9.25/10)

Three young musicians that I have truly enjoyed back-traveling through their musical catalogs--both individually and collectively--and whose futures I am very much looking forward to following . . . closely!

A-/4.5 stars; a minor masterpiece of instrumental jazz-rock fusion that I think will impress and please most any/practically every prog lover. Since I own and revere their most recent album, Spires--and see it as another step forward for the band (and the individuals) I'm going to assign this album four stars for now, but it may be a full-blown masterpiece!

P.S. Apologies to guitarist Alex Verbickas for slighting his presence on this album! I truly thought that the band was just a trio for this release. Mega-kudos and Respect for your contributions, Alex!