AMERICAN DON

I'm not the biggest fan of this style of music but this is a band who does it quite well. Of their 6 studio albums I have the middle 4 and would probably rate "Don Caballero 2" from 1995 as my favourite for the KING CRIMSON vibe. Funny that of the 4 albums I have from these guys this is the only one without 2 guitarists. They are a trio here and I miss the second guitar, especially the interplay. "American Don" was released in 2000 and I'm going to say it again, that second guitarist gives the band more options. Having said that I think this album is most people's favourite from this band.

Top three would include "You Drink A Lot Of Coffee For A Teenager". Now the previous track "Haven't Lived Afro Pop" would make my top four and I have to mention the bass early on as for the first time on the record it crushes the soundscape on this track. Back to the song I was talking about and like most of the tracks we get intricate guitar, heavy bass and drums. Like a herd of elephants here. So intense early on. "I Never Liked You" is catchy and it makes me want to move unlike the other songs. The closer rounds out my top three and it's called "Lets Face It Pal, You Didn't Need That Eye Surgery". I have to say I laughed when I read the song titles when I first got this. This one is heavy to start as guitar joins in and check it out before 4 minutes. Love that drum work and it's heavy from here to the end.

Probably a 3.5 star album for me but I'm bumping it up. And yes please check out the leader of this band Damon Che who is pretty incredible on the drum kit.