Customer Reviews

More Once More

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Several members of this band are all now known for their individual works in different outfits (Echolyn, Land of Chocolate, and McGill/Manring/Stevens), but not too long ago, Chris Buzby, Jonn Buzby, and Scott McGill headed up one of the more underrated and impressive musical creations of the 90's in Finneus Gauge.

More Once More, the band's first release, was hailed by Keyboard Magazine as one of the Top 10 Albums of 1997, and it's easy to see why the editors were so impressed - acrobatic and gymnastic three-part vocal harmonies that challenge the ear and take the seldom-used approach of allowing a female frontperson to sing BELOW her male backing counterparts on occasion (contrapunctal vocal lines are a-plenty here!) to striking and aurally-pleasing results.

Throw on impeccably-crafted but insanely melodic music, a growling rhythm section, and stellar performances from the "lead" instruments of guitar and keyboard, and this is a concoction that is well worth hearing again and again. Fans of progressive music that follows its own path should certainly check this album out, as well as the entire catalogues of the aformentioned Echolyn and Land of Chocolate.

I'm surprised to find myself liking an album this derivative as much as this. It treads the line between progressive rock and jazz, and reminds me a LOT of National Health's first album, with Chris Buzby's (Echolyn) keyboard playing and composing similar to Health's Dave Stewart, and Laura Martin's vocals reminiscent of Amanda Parsons. Bruford fans should also enjoy this, as it has echoes of the "Feels Good to Me" album, and guitarist Scott McGill sounds more like Allan Holdsworth than Holdsworth himself does. Martin isn't given much to sing for vocal melodies, and that is the main weakness of the album. This is a 3-1/2 star album. I've gone back and forth a couple of times on whether to round up or down.

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

Something I have always been looking for a band that play very intesting music with a female voice. I found it with this CD. Every player on this CD is great. They can also write very creative music, with many changes and still are catchy. This CD reminded me of earlier Bruford albums, and if you heard them you know how good they are. This cd can not be justified with words it must be listened to!!! If you are looking for a change and want to hear some good musicians that don't just noodle around get this cd. You will not be disappointed.

Great record! Technically complex jazzy song structures, but never virtuoso "spielerei". Progressive (jazz) rock at its best!

[Sorry ! Little english language]

Finneus Gauge - genial free-jazz & prog. rock & Laura Martin
female vocal.