TWIST AND GROUT

This is the eleventh Mutiny in Jonestown studio album and is mostly a document of the fall and winter of 1996/97. As such, this is an album which is more varied in the approach of it's songs and the forms they take than any Mutiny in Jonestown album prior. 'Fragile Today' is the fast paced opener with some lead synth accompanying the vocals and ending with a mostly repeating melodic solo. 1996 was a presidential election year and 'Mass Debate' comments on that. 'Waiting for the First Rain' is one of the few instrumentals in the Mutiny in Jonestown catalog. 'Losing it All' heralds the appearance of a new instrument in the bands guitar arsenal'a pedal steel. Unlike Steve Howe's use of pedal steel on the 'To Be Over' solo, the pedal steel here is used in a more traditional approach. It basically continues throughout the entire song defining and holding the chord progression together while adding fills between vocal phrases. It definitely gives a different feel to the song than just the strumming acoustic guitar on it's own.

The remaining songs range from the almost gothy darkwave of 'Icecycles', to what appears to be a sad song mourning the loss of a chinchilla named Lestat. This one has one of the best lyrics on the album, 'If our days come to an end, one last letter I must send. Dear Santa Northern Pole, do you sometimes feel old?' The album ends on a high energy note with, 'Spy Game'. With lyrics offering a take on the life of a spy, the guitar part strongly reminds me of something Alex Lifeson would play circa 1985. The song and album concludes with the lyric, 'Never retires, no golden watches'You'll never see a rest home for spies'.

Because the album touches on so many styles rather than remaining in one approach, it's always been a favorite of mine which is why it's available on BandCamp. At times it can sound like heavy prog, other times crossover prog, others eclectic prog and even some neo prog. I also like that it's a solid album throughout and makes a strong statement announcing the return of the band after it's 2 year hiatus and less than stellar return album. For these reasons, I'm giving this one 4 stars.