INTRODUCING LEMON

If "Fear Draws Misfortune" was the album through which I began to get acquainted with Illinois avant-prog act Cheer-Accident (and in fact, it was part of my personal 2009's Top 10), 2003's "Introducing Lemon" has become my absolute favorite recording from this band among the few that I have been knowing and enjoying in the last 6 months. With the nuclear quartet of drummer/keyboardist Thymme Jones, bassist/keyboardist Dylan Posa and guitarists Jeff Libersher and Jamie Fillmore, plus lots of guests on sundry reeds (mostly), violin and vibraphone, the sonic tapestry arranged and delivered throughout this album happens to be exciting, colorful, with constant potential for surprise. The album's repertoire is bookmarked with two 22 ½ minute long epics, so magnificence and eclectic experimentation are guaranteed on both ends. 'The Autumn Wind Is a Pirate' opens up the album with a straightforward exaltation created by the combination of agile guitar inputs, dynamic rhythmic schemes and massive brass ornaments. A few seconds before getting at the 2'30" mark, things shift toward a grayish mood, probably inspired by Art Bears and Faust-like musique concrete in equal terms, which in turn serves as a bridge toward a warm motif that feels relatively related to Indie pop. This moment of evocative warmth is not too complacent either, since the drum arrangement is heavily jazzy and the atonal guitar leads bring Frith airs (as opposed to the easy-going lead guitars you usually find in your pop-rock hits). Once the track steps beyond the 12 minute barrier, the track turns punchy, something like a Crimsonian refurbishment of standard stoner rock. Before the 15 minute mark, the track retakes the intro motif before setting the final motif, which pretty much mixes the fire of jazz-rock and the playful madness of RIO. The spectacular architecture of saxes, trumpets and trombones brings a Zappaesque note to the fold. As for the closing suite, entitled 'Find' and segued with the preceding piece, it starts bursting out with genuine rocking power. The initial motif is electrifying and catchy, with a reasonable use of sophistication prog-style. A following section moves to a reflective ambience, intimate, softly minimalistic in a post-rock sort of way. With the entrance of a choral arrangement that reminds us of Henry Cow at the 15 minute mark, the track settles an air of expectation that eventually leads to a fiery jam ? this one ends up elaborating an intense set of rhythmic and environmental variations that find the band flirting with math-rock and noise-rock. In short, both suites are impressive in terms of creating and ordaining the band's relentlessly eclectic drive. And what do we find between these two monster pieces? 'Camp o' Physique' erupts as a jazzy satire segued to the opening suite's abrupt ending. Its burlesque overtone (playful falsettos included) reminds me of "Zoot Allures"-era Zappa. 'Zervas' bears a more ethereal mood, based on a crescendo built-up from an exotic motif; the segued piece that follows, 'Track 29', shows us yet another example of Cheer-Accident's expertise at mixing jazz-rock and Art Bears-style RIO (and it also includes a Dadaistic vocal arrangement). The linkage of 'The Day After I Never Met You' and '(The) Men's Wide Open' brings sundry ways to generate density under dynamic musical wraps ? these two tracks complete the overall sense of adventure quite conveniently. There is also a pop side in these musicians' hearts, and so, 'Smile' is the song in charge of revealing the lighter side of Cheer-Accident. This song comprises a growing piano input that ultimately leads to the ceremonious, almost creepy interlude 'While': this piece works as an introductory passage of cosmic introspection to the aforementioned suite 'Find'. "Introducing Lemon" is an exquisite avant- prog effort: the pairing of this one and "Fear Draws Misfortune" is the ideal introduction for every uninitiated.