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Tunnels - Painted Rock CD (album) cover

PAINTED ROCK

Tunnels

 

Jazz Rock/Fusion

3.24 | 12 ratings

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Equality 7-2521
4 stars A great follow up to their self-titled release, Painted Rock sounds much more like a band effort. These guys must have locked onto the same wave length between this and the past album because the music here seems to belong much more than on the previous release. Guitarist Van Manakas also plays a much larger role on this album and is more like a full member of the band rather than a session musician brought in to lay down a few licks.

The album starts off with a pleasant easy listening number in the title track "Painted Rock" which really shows the bands ability to keep an almost funky groove.

"Land Of Hazmats" has the band playing a relatively slow, laid back number, that contrasts nicely with the ferocious solo that Manakas plays on top and the effect is very pleasant.

"House of Marc" is obviously a Wagnon piece and starts out with a beautiful mellotron like atmosphere setting the mood for this highly atmospheric piece that shows some of his most emotional playing. There are also some female chanting vocals that harmonize with the song and really send it over the edge. This is the album best track.

"Quai Des Brumes" features some beautiful work on a Spanish acoustic and it really steals the show.

"Neuro-Transmitter" is the albums low point and is a bit too busy for my taste. It's too chaotic to really have any good melodies.

The album continues on with standard jazz fusion tracks which are played perfectly by this quartet. It even features a continuation of the track "Bad American Dream Part 24".

The album closes with a beautifully busy drum solo very reminiscent of Neil Peart. It doesn't get boring for one second and ends this album perfectly. Highly technical, highly emotional, and highly enjoyable jazz fusion.

Equality 7-2521 | 4/5 |

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