RAISING THE MAMMOTH

Man thank god for side projects lol Dang i will say i thought this album was going to be dissappointing since certain members aren't in this album like Petrucci and Sheehan. But with a few new guys like how about Steve Walsh, Kerry Livegren, Gary Werhkamp, Marty Friedman, and John Myung man how could i refuse. And i must say no matter what reviews say I LOVE THIS ALBUM almost even more than the first Explorer's Club album. Raising the Mammoth has the great elements that was sponsered on the last album heaviness, melody, jamming section, and amazing solos. Though the is alot more layering in keyboards and soloing with keyboards than there was in the last album which is something i love. I thought The Tangent were the master band to use layers of Keyboards in there albums well these guys definitely have what it takes as well which is awesome. But what's crazy about this cd is well there's four songs and 44 tracks lol who does something like this. Well it doesn't matter to me cause I love it. There is a strong evidence of some 70s prog rock in some of the songs but not quite all the way which is cool cause i love that but anyway Raising the Mammoth starts off with one of the best songs Passage to Paralysis which is great awesome drums, cool guitar licks, and the vocals GAH i love them Walsh, Labrie, and Gardner make such a great team. Then things slow down with Braod Decay a very nice track full of melodic sections, lush keyboards, and a cool guitar solo at the end. Kinda makes me wish who is doing the guitar solos but for some reason they didn't mark solos like they did for the last album. Vertebrates starts off soft for a nice vocals use but then you get this heavy HEAVY riff to come in while everybody just strets there stuff. the crazy random guitar solo that ends the song is pretty neat too. But probably to me the best song is the 20 minute instrumental Gigantipithicus which is just awesome from aggressive to melodic to sounds where the keyboards sound like Mammoth OH MAN its good its rare to find a long instrumental these days but let me tell if your like me and love awesome jamming songs, with grooves and diverse soloing this is the disc for you trust me its worth it. I loved the last disc and i love this one Explorer's Club has definitely become one of my top favorite side projects.