REGAINING THE FEEL

Is it possible to take a band of four, replace all but one member and still sound exactly like the first band? Sure it is, here's your proof. LOC said goodbye to it's bassist, drummer and guitarist, recruited three new members and guess what? Know one could tell the difference. There may be some minor sonic changes, the guitarist sounds slightly different in his chording technique, however, he's playing the same chords. The music is again great, but mostly vocal dominant, with little space for the new guys to stretch and break some new ground. Heavily influenced by Fiineus Gauge, Echolyn, Gentle Giant, King Crimson and Zappa. The harmonies are the same, the vocal stylings of John Buzby are indentical to Unikorn on the Cob.

So what we have is some very talented musicians playing very difficult music, but subjected to rather lackluster vocals that keep the music from progressing. I'm sure that in the live setting, LOC kicks ass without remorse. They open up, improvise and soar to the skies, free of the studio confines and a dominant leader.

So, it's all about taste in vocalists. If you like 'em, get 'em. John Buzby's voice is somewhat static and sounds the same on every track. The jacket doesn't list the lyrics, so I haven't gone too deep into the words. On the surface they are good, competent. No walls are broken down, no tear worthy momemnts.