COYOTE

Toby Driver continues to push the envelope! Amazing! While I can see some people not liking, not enjoying, or even detesting the music on Kayo Dot's latest, "Coyote"--because it strays so far from what are "normal" parameters for "pleasing" or melodic music, I, myself, stand in awe at Toby & crew's courage, intellectual adventuresomeness, discipline, and creativity. This is music most reminiscent to my first experiences with Gentle Giant, Frank Zappa, Gryphon, Steve Reich, Yes's "Sound Chaser", Peter Gabriel's cymbol-less third eponymous lp, King Crimson's songs "Discipline" and "Indiscipline," John Coltrane's "Love Supreme," Ornette Coleman, as well as some songs from Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny, and Peter Hammill; I find myself feeling more intellectually stimulated and awed than pampered and soothed as if from an "easy" listening experience. Toby's music is sometimes "work" to listen to--and "Coyote" is perhaps the pinnacle (so far) of his forays into this territory. The collaborative interdependence of the musician-play is integral to the success of this music. The lyrics (though, unfortunately, not always Toby's voice) are made so much more valuable because of the story of their having been written by the band's recently deceased friend and the music is equally to the task of presenting their raw power. I am lucky to be an appreciator of jazz music and 20th century classical music; I think it helps me to enjoy this kind of "tough"--and very progressive--music. Whether or not Toby Driver's music will endure and retain an audience long-term--much less affect the direction of musical "progress" is yet to be seen. I know how much I appreciate those few musician/composers who are out there using their imaginations, going boldly where no man has gone before! (Yet, I also like Neo-Prog!) I feel like I'm listening to fresh new music from a live collaboration of Billy Holiday, Joe Jackson, Talk Talk, Bjork, Sigur Ros, Freddie Hubbard, Phillip Glass, Mike Oldfield, Miles Davis and Robert Smith! Excellent--perhaps even essential--addition to any prog-lover's collection. Let's give it a few months to decide. Four stars for now. Perhaps a little more melody and vocal-ease would have lifted it to five.

10/15/2010 edit: This album doesn't bring me back--Toby's one-style fits all vocals and the depressing mood of the lyrics and music--as amazing as they are--have begun to grate and turn me away. While I still appreciate his vision, creativity, balls, and singlemindedness, I am not enjoying the music. Genius in need of melody.