CREATURES

FROGG CAFE' started out as a ZAPPA cover band calling themselves LUMPY GRAVY.This is their second release called "Creatures". These guys really know how to play ! There is a lot of variety on this record and i'm more impressed with the liberal use of the mellotron.

"All This Time" opens with some strange sounds that bring to mind the albums title and the picture on the cover. Vocals come in almost 2 minutes in as we get some riffing and waves of mellotron. A tasteful guitar solo 5 minutes in followed a little later by some scorching guitar solos. Mellotron closes out this great opening track. "Creatures" is a very light and jazzy tune with fast paced vocals at times bringing to mind GENTLE GIANT.

"The Celestial Metal Can (In memory of Charles Ives)" is the weirdest song by far. Featuring many strange noises including a weedwacker hitting a metal can.There are voices, blocks of wood, sarod, strings and many more sounds. Not a much of a melody though. "Gagutz" is an instrumental. I love the Fripp-like guitar melodies in this one. Violin 3 minutes in as well as clarinet and trumpet. Great tune ! "Waterfall Carnival" is quite a ride at over 21 minutes in length. It opens quietly with acoustic guitar and vocals. We get some mandolin, flute, mellotron and classical guitar as the song builds. At 10 minutes in it sounds like the creatures are at it again. Organ comes in followed by mellotron 16 minute in as we then hear some beautiful guitar melodies.

I highly recommend this album. 4 solid stars.