TROUBLE WITH MACHINES

Aggressive and super dynamic are words that could well describe this brilliant album by the American District 97. Dissonant and virtuoso vocal parts by super talented singer leslie Hunt over very complex structured songs perfectly executed by a band of freaks who all are absolute masters on their instruments.

Being a guitar player myself, I first focused on guitarist Jim Tashjian, who has a fabulous technique and a great inventiveness in his soloing that amazed me and even made me a bit jealous. He really moves to the edge! Throughout the seven songs recorded on this album I remained sitting clued to my chair and being stunned by so much talent. This must be one of the top albums of this year.

The album will probably not be everyone's cup of tea right away, because of the many dissonants and the strangeness of lots of the vocal lines, but those who are already familiar with the oddities by bands like Gentle Giant, King Crimson and of course early U.K. will find no trouble in appreciating this album. The drumming of band master mind Jonathan Schang evokes the best Bruford and Peart, his way of moving through all sorts of rhythmic complexities is just stunning.

It is difficult to describe an album like "Trouble With Machines", so many things happening in so little time. The best way to describe this album is to call it an explosion of talent. I can only advise everyone to check out this band, you won't get disappointed !I!

Theo Schop