THE JELLY JAM

How would sound Platypus without Derek Sherinian ? The jelly jam is the answer, and it is as good as the previous Platypus records. A blend of pop, grunge, progressive-rock and mainstream rock. The tunes are catchy, but with complex rhythms and all sung (unlike Platypus, where half the album featured vocals, and the other half instrumental tracks). It is good to see that members of Dream Theater can get a kick out of a material somewhat different from their usual metal-prog. I don't know anything about King's X, the band in which Ty Tabor, the vocalist and guitarist for Platypus and Jelly Jam began his career, but I'm sure of one thing : he is a great artist who deserves to be known of all who appreciate good music. A very dynamic album !

This album is definitely rockin' from beginning to end and nice to listen as background music. But I would not agree to that it sounds much like PLATYPUS apart from the vocals of course. This album must be great for fans of Stoner Rock, Grunge, Alternative... and for fans of KING'S X. To me it does not offer too much, I prefer much more PLATYPUS' two albums because they offer more diversity and complexity ( that I'm missing here at all). I like the variety in both of them given by the mixture of vocal and instrumental tracks. Like KING'S X THE JELLY JAM could be categorized rather as alt.rock than as prog, I think. Still a good album though and for sure better than most of stoner and alternative rock ones. Best tracks are definitely the title track and "The King's Dance" not because they're instrumental, but pretty much dfferent from the rest and remind very much to finest 70's progressive blues rock. Just for these tracks I'm giving half a star extra. I think 3 stars is a adequate rating. I can't explain why, but somehow Ty Tabor's voice is transmitting all the time a more "alternative rock feeling" to me, I noticed this already on KING'S X' records, as well as in the vocal tracks on PLATYPUS' albums. But still well done alternative rock I would say.

This album is not what you would expect from prog-rock titans. The former PLATYPUS members Ty Tabor (KING'S X, guitar and vocals), John Myung (DREAM THEATER, bass), and Rod Morgenstein (The DIXIE DREGS, drums and percussion), take it to task and end up with a great rock and roll album. This is not prog-rock, neo-prog, or anything else associated with the word progressive when regarding genre classification. When defining the word progressive for yourself you will find that these talented musicians surely fit into that realm though. Are you confused yet? It's actually quite simple. These guys went into the studio to have some fun and do something totally different than what they are normally associated with, which is very cool and very progressive. What ends up happening is a sound that is very similar to a classic 60's Byrds record (in the vocal department) is developed to perfection, with a noticeable discerning harder edge to it. Except for the title track "The Jelly Jam," which is a HENDRIX like rocker with wah-wah, psychedelic influences, and the spirit of Jimi jumping in, this is quite simply a great rock n' roll album without any frills or complications included.

So if you are looking for a straight ahead prog-rock album you need to look elsewhere or with the groups that these guys normally gig with. If you enjoy great music that rocks then this is your pre-paid ticket to the show.

3.5 stars. In the liner notes each song is shown on a different jar of jam. Cute. As others have noted this is basically PLATYPUS minus Derek Sherinian and the sound now is more like KINGS X. What I liked most about this album was the drumming of Rod Morgenstein and with the bass of John Myung we have an amazing rhythm section. As hdfisch notes this is probably more Alternative sounding then anything else,and I really like their sound.

"I Can't Help You" is one of the heavier and better songs on the record.The heavy bass and rolling drums are great ! Can Rod drum or what ? "No Remedy" is very KINGS X sounding. Heavy with THE BEATLES like harmonies.The drumming and bass lines 3 minutes in are incredible. "Native" is a short instrumental. "Nature's Girl" is an uptempo, catchy tune that I bet they had a blast playing.

"Feeling" is in the same style as the previous ones and it's starting to get boring. Fortunately the rest of the songs provide some variety starting with "Reliving", a mellow tune with some good vocals and a tasteful guitar solo. "The Jelly Jam" is the best song on the record, a slower paced instrumental that is quite atmospheric. The lead guitar is amazing from Ty. "I Am A King" has a dreamy sound to it, although not so much in the chorus.There is a nice breakout of guitar as well. "The King's Dance" is a laidback instrumental with some lazy, spacey guitar melodies that grow more intense as the song plays out. "Under The Tree" has an Eastern feel to it at times.

This is a good record that I would definetly recommend to fans of Alternative music.

Top class musicians making regular music. Great groovy alternative effort.

After the departure of Derek Sherinian, the original Platypus band became a trio and they leaved out almost every shake of prog metal moments. In their first album they came with a very original and regular alternative-prog album in the style of Porcupine Tree with some jazzy moments and a very nice and soft groovy style, enjoyable and focused.

Well now, I understand that a regular Dream Theater or Dixie Dregs fan could expect more bombastic and experimental music, but it's not and to hear Rod Morgenstein and John Myung playing "human" music is kind of nice, because they really sound strong and cohesive, it's evident that the members understands each other and the chemistry between the band is great. The songs THE JELLY JAM and THE KING'S DANCE are the only real "progressive" songs with some flashy guitar solos but never getting "too" proggy. The rest are very short alternative rock songs but I wish alternative bands play like this. Ty vocals are really great and catchy.

Not too much else of saying about this 35 minutes piece of music. I can assure you that you will headbang to some of the catchy and groovy songs. For prog standards maybe is not that cool, but it's one of those albums that is continuously on rotation in my stereo because if very enjoyable and rocker. I suggest this album to any PT lover, they will appreciate this kind of music. I put this with 4 stars. Sometimes is great to hear "regular" music from the masters. This is one of those rarities, in which the challenge is "not" to play. Great album.

When keyboard player Derek Sherinian left Platypus the decision was taken not only not to replace him but also to change the musical direction and the name of the band. The result is a trio playing intricate rock yet maintaining at times the Beatles-esque qualities of the original band. It is again an album that belongs not only firmly in the present day but also in the Sixties and Seventies as the music captures the mood of that time. It is melodic and some times even psychedelic, and has moved away from the progressive tendencies while also maintaining some of that interest.

One of the problems that the band has that they find it difficult to play in standard 4/4, using the minimum amount of notes, so instead they go out and have a blast to enjoy themselves. Luckily for us that they do as even on their more basic songs there is still a wealth of diversity to enjoy. Given that this is basically a side project it is amazing that they manage to bring together songs that are consistently strong and not fillers. It is a shame that Platypus are no more as I have enjoyed playing their albums, particularly 'Ice Cycles', but I know that I am going to enjoy this in the future just as much (even if it is an extremely naff name!!).

Originally appeared in Feedback #67, Apr 02