PLAGUE ACCOMMODATIONS

In my opinion, Thank You Scientist, are one of the best modern prog bands. Their music is a fusion of heavy rock, jazz, soul, R&B, and metal. It definitely takes an open mind to appreciate because this is not background music. There is a lot going on and it demands your complete attention with zero distractions. There are so many subtle nuances that will pass you by if you don't focus. It also should be played loud, preferably on a system with speakers, not buds, that aren't made of plastic. For the vinyl fans, there is an etched copy available. Etched vinyl has music on one side and an etched design with no music on the other side.

"Plague Accommodations" is the bands fifth release (second EP) and is distributed on the bands newly created - Flying Jangus Records. Clocking in a bit over twenty minutes there is not a wasted second. Superb songs, musicianship, and humor that this band has in abundance. It begins with "Gigglebutton" an instrumental fusion number that sounds different from anything they have done before. Great groove and the brass section get a workout. Unfortunately, the song ends too quickly at 1:55. Next up is "Creature Comfort" that begins softly then slowly morphs into that unique sound that only TYS have. No other band could pull this off. Love the brass arrangement that begins at 3:05. Catchy chorus and the sax solo kills. Off into jazz-metal territory. "Soul Diver" has some very energetic drumming with some very fast double bass sections, the violin solo is awesome and reminds me of something Ponty would play. Finally, the intricate bass/drum/violin riffs are off the chart and the song fades with a cool syncopated rhythm that ends with layered A Capella vocals. The last song, "Plague Accommodations" is another upbeat ditty with an off-kilter time signature. Love the effects Tom uses on his guitar and the jazzy break with the fierce guitar solo rips my head off! Of special notes, the rhythm section is so spot on and tight that it's scary, and Salvatore's voice, as always, fits the music perfectly.

This is definitely one of my top five for 2021, but unfortunately since it was released without much promotion, I think this will go unnoticed. 4.5 stars. Great EP.

Exciting to have yet another release from the (I think) excellent Thank You Scientist (and I'll take just an EP), and exciting to come to a release that has been so well received here (a weighted 4.55/5.00 average from 24 ratings when I got here). Spoiler: it's much deserved (I was debating hard on the weight of the last track, to be honest, though). Their fifth release overall and their second EP (the first being their debut release from a whole decade before!), this is Plague Accommodations. Freaky-deaky title matched perfectly with spooky-kabuki cover art.

No time is wasted with our opener, "Gigglebutton" (I lol'd at that title, by the way), a barrage of trumpet and guitar over fun and funky everything else! Great track. And then it's juxtaposed by the almost sultry and undeniably cool "Creature Comfort". The occasionally contentious Claudio-esque vocals of Salvatore Marrano (never knew his name) are prominently featured here. I like him. He's certainly very talented. Again, this is a cool track. Nice melodic hooks and just excellent musicianship that we know them to bring. And the blazing sax solo.... yeeeeeesh... Wild.

Into our second half, next we have "Soul Diver". This is bright and upbeat, like a weird mix of vidja games and ska(?) in the intro. Then this verse is just lovely and the underlying bass and the sharp drumming... It's awesome. Heavy, but not brutal. There is that consistent tie I feel to Coheed that they've had throughout their career that is certainly present here. I felt I had to turn this one up (maybe it was a little too quiet in mixing, but this is a good thing: I wanted to hear what the hell was going on here). Around minute 2 there is just this crazy attack from all sides. The melody is infectious and, again, it's just so upbeat, through and through. A real head-bopper. Around minute 4 there's this sick breakdown, not losing a beat, with a wicked performance from the drummer and then... this dive-bombing solo from the sax once more. And it's all over the place... I want to understand haha. And then is that a guitar solo? I'm trying to keep up. Very impressed. Great jorb, guys. Seriously.

Finally, we have the title track, "Plague Accommodations". This main melody is just alright, but they do know how to keep your attention, just as always anyhow. Mmmmm! This chorus(?) is awesome though! Hell yeah! "Another stitch has come undone." With that line there is this disgustingly dope rhythmic shift and this continues on in like different colors and shades and... Wow. Before minute 3, all falls away except for the underlying backbeat making way for the guitar solo. Tasteful and metallic here. Such a talent [Side note: I looked outside and this guy with this epic gut who's illegally parked across the street just took his shirt off haha.]. I don't even know where that weak melody from the start even went! Everything is on fire after, say, that first minute. We have another, more traditional breakdown and the horns are explicitly on fire. Someone call 911. Super horny (me too?). Excellent, excellent. At least check out this one.

Well done, gois. Keep it comin'.

True Rate: 4.5/5.0