22

Wippy Bonstack is the solo project of songwriter/composer Ben Coniguliaro and he is back with his second solo release. And what a release it is. If you're tired of bands that prefer to write similar music over and over, Wippy is for you. If you believe "back in my day" was the only time good music existed, Wippy is for you. If you want to progress and expand your musical horizons with some challenging modern music that pushes boundaries, Wippy is for you. The best word that describes this 37-minute album is - FUN. Loaded with jaw dropping musicianship throughout, "Ambitions" knocks my socks off with its Mike Keneally vibe. "Shadow Soaked" and "Scientific Candy" come armed with upbeat infectious grooves make me want to dance, and I don't like to dance. For those that don't know, Wippy plays most all instruments and provides reverb drenched vocals with a charming timbre that fits this music perfectly. The only negative comment I have is that no physical copies of this or his first release are offered. Darn it! Anyway, easy 4.5 stars rounded up. Rock on Wippy. I guess the album title "22" is because it was released on November 22, 2022?

Wow! What a songwriting tour de force! This very busy New York-based artist, multi-instrumentalist Ben Coniguliaro, is involved in several projects all at the same time including, Sun ColoredChair, Wyxz, and In-Dreamview. And then there is this, his solo baby. Wow!

1. "Dancing with the Monks" (3:19) (8.75/10)

2. "Ambitions" (4:08) an impressive guitar-on-display song. (8.75/10)

3. "Shadow Soaked" (3:55) I hear quite a bit of Roddy Frame (AZTEC CAMERA) and Andy Partridge (XTC, DUKES OF STRATOSPHEAR) in this song--and not just vocally or lyrically. (9/10)

4. "Going" (5:03) What?! This whispy, slowed down song is not what I've come to expect. But it speeds up with some very nice acoustic guitar work so that Ben can continue to impress with his amazing vocal deliveries. Again I am so reminded of both Andy Partridge and Roddy Frame with many elements of this song. (9/10)

5. "Scientific Candy" (3:20) another song that starts out as a very pleasant acoustic guitar-driven melodic ballad ramps up a bit with the addition of the rest of the rock band instruments. Ben's vocals are mixed a little bit too far in the back for my tastes. A very pleasant, melodic song that has some similarities, according to my ears, to the music of classic rock bands like Todd Rundgren, America, and Ambrosia. (8.875/10)

6. "Beautiful Stain" (4:10) opens so much like a The DECEMBERISTS song but it also reminds me a ton of Georgia guitar god Jared Leach on his 2016 one-off GHOST MEDICINE project, Discontinuance. A very solid song composition-- surprisingly mature and subtly complex--that should/could get radio air play. (8.875/10)

7. "Insatiable " (4:48) more music that reminds me of the amazing vocal talents of Roddy Frame as well as those of jazz-pop singer-songwriter MICHAEL FRANKS and Swedish singer-songwriter Fredrik Larsson (FREDDEGREDDE). I don't much like the drum sounds here, and, again, the voice seems mixed a bit too far back in the mix, while the guitars are recorded and mixed to sublime perfection. (I really LOVE hearing guitars recorded this well!) (8.785/10)

8. "Collapsed Spirit" (5:11) though I never think of this song as my favorite on this lovely album, it contains the most unavoidable earworms on the album; once I've heard this song it's hours before I can get it out of my head! Melodically, it is so wonderful on so many levels. Instrumentally, there's some playing here that's on the level of GENTLE GIANT (compositionally, as well). And then there's the incredible lyric and perfect vocal performance used to delivery it. Amazing. Such an amazing progressive rock song. Kt may, in fact, be perfection. It may, in fact, be the song of the year! (10/10)

9. "Wezler's Choice" (2:55) great music with an unusual one-line vocal that is repeated intermittently throughout the song" I don't have a choice ? but you do." Again the music reminds me of Jared Leach's GHOST MEDICINE. (9.25/10)

Ben "Wippy Bonstack" Coniguliaro seems to have one speed when playing, composing, practicing, performing, and singing, and that's full speed; everything about the music in these songs is fast, in hyperdrive: the guitar playing first and foremost but also the keys, bass, drums and percussion, as well as the amazing vocal deliveries of the often- complex/dense lyrics. In this latter aspect (as well as with many of his compositions) I am greatly reminded of two of my favorite songwriter-singers of all-time: Roddy Frame and Andy Partridge--(though Ben is far more fluid and melodic with his voice deliveries than Andy).

A-/five stars; a minor masterpiece of sophisticated crossover progressive rock music that should be an excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection. I'm so glad (and, I must admit, surprised) that this wonderful band is present here on PA as it could also be taken as too Indie rock or even poppy, despite the complex song structures and virtuosic instrumental performances.

I like this album a lot. The word eclectic certainly comes to mind. And I also want to call it a deliciously fresh and playful record.

I don't see it as something groundbreaking though.

Dancing with the monks - A nice and catchy start to the album. Well played and well produced with some quirks here and there. But in the end, it is rather straightforward. 7/10

Ambitions is one of the tracks that I enjoy most. I like the great guitar soloing. It's one of the most proggy pieces on the album 8.5/10

Shadow Soaked is an up-tempo quirky song. Well played but rather straightforward at the end 7/10

Going is a song that ebbs and flows nicely. But again, nothing special or groundbreaking in my book 7/10

Scientific Candy is another nice track. Enjoyable to listen to, but never challenging or inciting (for me) 7/10

Beautiful Stain is where I start to see some repetitiveness on the record. Not bad, but also not special 7/10T

Insatiable is more interesting than many other tracks on the album. 8/10

Collapsed spirit has some great elements like the guitar and key solos. They lift the song to a higher level. 8/10

Wezler's choice is a nice closer but also a bit repeating the musical themes of earlier tracks 7/10

All in all, this is a solid record and I rate it 3 stars. Good, not non-essential.