MCSTINE & MINNEMANN II

An impressively executed album with diverse material. There are hints of Bob Drake, Mike Keneally and Zappa. Both McStine and Minnemann are wildly gifted. McStine has a good singing voice, although he's a little too stuck on that "working up the flemm" sound. Like he just ate a Snickers bar and washed it down with orange juice. Seriously though, there are some excellent songs and lots of ear tickling. Standout tracks: "I Don't Need It," in exciting running double time with altered mode runs - a lush and interesting short prog rock song and "Distant Bodies", a vigorous shuffle with a very cool drum break opportunity for Minnemann in the final instrumental stretch.