RON THAL/HERMIT

HERMIT is the 2nd release by Ron Thal aka Bumblefoot. This album proves that he's not only a virtuoso at every instrument he picks up but also as a songwriter and producer. The drum machines have been replaced by his brother Jeff Thal, guests musicians add the additional instruments (cello and sax) and the album sounds more like a real band than his debut. The music is an eclectic mix but the main sound is a kind of progressive grunge. Progressive, poppy, jazzy, grungy metal. The lyrics are mostly sardonic humor

1. Zero.....This is actually an intro for the next track. It is a lightning fast acoustic arpeggio with haunting cello building up with vocals to a climax which turns into...

2. Hermit.....A progressive grunge sound quickly gives way to odd drumming with cello and then becomes grungy again. Pattern repeats.

3. Fatback.....Another progressive grunge track. Catchy but one of the lesser tracks

4. Freak.....Reminds me of "Sabotage" by the Beastie Boys but more metal and has a chorus

5. Sweetmeat.....A laid-back track giving room for lots of cello. Sung from the perspective of a dead carcass being consumed by flies.

6. I Can't Play The Blues.....A shredfest blues song with rapped lyrics. Guitar is smokin! Lyrics: a shredder's self-deprication in musical form. Highly original and a favorite! The sax is a nice touch

7. Gray.....A strange set of sounds sets the mood for a depressive acoustic/grungy number

8. Unsound.....Starts off sounding like a psychedelic Pink Floyd acoustic guitar track but has extreme metal outbursts occasionally

9. Goodbye.....Another grungy track. Catchy but another of the lesser tracks

10. Rowboat.....My favorite song. Frenetic and super-progressive. Sung from the perspective of a boater who drowned after hitting his head on his rowboat. The musical journey takes you through many influences including Steely Dan and funky metal. Jazzy-funky soloing and nice blue-grassy metal choruses.

11. Hangup.....Strange song indeed. About having the impulse to call someone and too scared to talk. So whadda ya do...? Funky bass, prog metal, acoustic jazz, reggae. Another favorite!

12. Every Time I Shake My Head (It's Like Christmas).....Now for something completely different. What? On a Bumblefoot album? Starts off with an acoustic jazz guitar and Bing Crosby vocals. After the crooning is done it breaks into serious metal shredding and ultimately back to jazz. Ahh! The cleverest song about dandruff i've ever heard. Maybe the only one as well

Another home-run for Bumblefoot! One of my favorite albums of all-time. For hyperactive freaks who love the speed of Vai, the wit of Zappa, the unpredictability of Mr. Bungle.