CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO WITH TONY LEVIN & PAT MASTELOTTO: CG3 + 2

My biggest issue with this band is that we get three guys all playing acoustic guitars for the most part.Thankfully this one is different as we get Tony Levin guesting on bass and Pat Mastelotto on drums. And this is more electric sounding too making it the best thing that i've heard from this band.

"Melrose Avenue" features those intricate guitar melodies and an Eastern flavour to boot as the drums help out. "Skyline" reminds me of THE TEA PARTY at times. Strummed guitar comes and goes as does those intricate guitar lines. "Dancing Anne" is catchy with acoustic guitars. Synths too after 2 minutes. "Heart Of The Sunrise" is by far the best track because it is a YES cover of course. I miss Anderson's vocals though. "Hanagasa" is again led by a beat as we get intricate guitars. "Zandoko-Bushi" opens with another YES tribute before it changes to a sixties vibe. Interesting.It turns heavy late. "Blockhead" has this tribal-like drumming then it settles with guitars leading. Drums are back as guitars continue.

"Dance Of Maya" is a top three because it's more electric and dynamic. Although I don't like that it changes 3 minutes in regardless of the impressive drum work. "Swampy Place" is bluesy and acoustic. "Swampy Return" has a beat with intricate guitars. "Train To Lamy" has a heavy guitar intro. Nice. It then settles but it's still heavy. Unfortunately it changes 2 minutes in to a country flavour.Yikes. "Eve" is a beautiful song. "What I Am" has these spoken woords as intricate guitars and drums join in. Synths after 5 minutes. "The Chase" opens with atmosphere and a beat. It's heavier after a minute. It then turns lighter after 3 minutes.Some cool guitar expressions 6 1/2 minutes in then it turns haunting. Finally they change things up. I would love to hear them play more music like this but hey it's not their style.

3.5 stars.