CONTRADICTION

As much as parts of this album impress me to no end, there are other parts that I can't wait until they're over. Such is the nature of this record though, hence the title "Contradiction" is an apt one. These guys can play with the best of them, and they offer up so much variety like Metal, Jazz, Avant-Garde, heavy and spacey. I'm sure i'm missing a few. This is also quite humerous at times with silly vocals and lyrics. So this won't be everyone's cup of tea, but everyone will like at least some of this. These guys have so much potential.

"Agartha" is spacey to begin with until piano takes over. Before we get a minute in we've been hit with a full sound of heavy drums and ripping guitar. And so the ride begins as we go from mellow with piano, to complex with silliness, to dissonant. Love the bass around 3 1/2 minutes,and the melody 8 minutes in. This is one of my favourite songs on here. The vocals are very well done by the way. "Mental Hygiene" has a spacey intro with vocal melodies before a jazzy section comes and goes. Drums and silly lyrics follow. "My Own Shelter" contrasts the lighter passages with the heavy ones with vocals. Nice bass especially 4 minutes in. This is a good one but nothing more. "SPQA" sounds amazing to begin with but it's very short lived. A reggae ryhthm comes in with vocals. It changes again. I like the instrumental section 4 1/2 minutes in. Silly vocals follow. I feel like i'm being teased with these short outbursts of amazing music.

"Belly Botton" features prominant drums throughout with theatrical vocals and an island vibe. Guitar 2 1/2 minutes in is great and it reminds me of Lifeson. Keys take over a minute later before silliness returns. "On The Wings" opens with a dark mood as vocals come in. I like this serious side of the band. It brightens 1 1/2 minutes in reminding me of POS. Great passage.This song and the opening track are my favs. "Unsaid" rocks out pretty good between the bizarre vocals. Incredible sound 3 minutes in before silly vocals return 4 minutes in to end it. "Bourgeois" is uptempo with more funny vocals. Serious vocals and a calmer sound come in. The contrast continues. An amazing instrumental display 4 minutes in to end it.

I can't honestly say that this is inconsistant because this is what they created on purpose. Yes I think these guys are crazy, but man can they play ! 3.5 stars.