FORTUNATE OBSERVER OF TIME

Very innovative mix of Jazz, Avant/Experimental and Rock to make a very enjoyable listen. The album gets better to me each time I listen. I see this band in the same light as Helmet of Gnats and Umphrey's McGee maybe Bubblemath also but these guys are more Jazz/Fusion/Zappa and less Avant/Experimental than BM.

The first track is the weakest and might have been better off without a vocal part in it. It does have a great violin/ piano part in it towards the end though. The title song is a great example of the band at its best. Building themes and melodies with trumpet and violin it just flows along. My two favorites are Your Still Sleeping and Abyss of Dissention. The former has the best jazz moments even under the vocals and probably the most Zappaesque of all the tracks although the band is not scarred to throw a trademark Zappa lick in anywhere. The later has a great Gentle Giant harmony moment , as well as great Zappa one too, in it as well as some stellar work on keyboards, vibes and horns. Though these guys are all play with virtuosity to their credit no one stands out above the others. It all blends nicely together. Very nice use of varied intruments such as Vibes, Horns and violins to provide different colors to each section.

I find Frogg Café to be growing on me every listen. I cannot wait to see them live in May 2007 at Calprog! For fans of Fusion and Zappa 4 stars!