DUX IN A ROW

3.5 stars. I bought this along with their latest album "The Strainge Case Of Steve" on a 2 in one package. The two discs compliment each other well but with both clocking in around 77 minutes I needed to spend time with these separately. The "Dux In A Row" is a compilation of 2019's "Redux Vol. 1" and 2021's "Redux Vol. 2" all eleven tracks complex and unfinished for the most part and from the 70's all given the James Strain treatment. James is the newest member of this duo along with Steve Kretzmer. Steve Gore sadly passed in 2009 and the band lay dormant for around a decade until Strain arrived. The man is a genius in the studio and quite the musician.

While I would call "The Strainge Case Of Steve" a synth dominated record I would call "Dux In A Row" a piano driven album. More vocals and humour compared to the most recent studio album and I do like this better. The two tracks that really stood out for me are "Cashew Melody" a beast at 16 1/2 minutes composed by Gore but redone by Strain of course. After the first two tracks this one comes along feeling warmer with that organ. Vocals from Gore and more depth of sound to follow. Lots of changes on this one and samples too that are funny. This one has it all.

The other track that was love at first listen shouldn't be surprising as it's the only real vocal track and so melodic, and that's "Her Kind". Such a feel good piece with Kretzmer singing. After those two back to back tracks my next two favourites are also back to back in "Egos Explode" the only other Gore track on here along with "The Infettered Way" both 4 plus minute songs. I have to mention the name of the closer "Hubert Greenary Peck" perhaps a nod to Hubert Green, Gregory Peck and Frank Zappa. And this closer is 14 minutes long.

If your into this band Wayside still has copies left and this package is so well done it really is a keep sake.