ELEMENTS

What?! A jazzier, moodier, more BLACK SABBATH- and TOOL-like version of Atheist? (I know the Tool reference is unfair as this band predates Maynard's breakthrough. But the music has at times a strikingly similar sound to it.) I happen to like the production of this album less than its predecessor, "Unquestionable Presence," but appreciate the growth that the instrumentalists have done in terms of diversifying/broadening their stylistic influences and sonic choices. Though the bass and drums maintain their prominent places in the sonic mix (though neither of these newcomers, Choy and Greenbaum, impress in the way that their predecessors did), the voices and high end sounds just feel murkier (especially when you listen to "UP" before or along side "Elements." The new, Latin-ized Atheist is indeed interesting but I think the previous version of the band was more impressive.

Favorite songs: the proggiest ones, which happen to be the final three, "Earth," "See You Again," and "Elements."

Still, this is without a doubt a solid four star album, just not on the same par as their previous (albeit short) album.