MIKE KENEALLY BAND: DOG

After Frank Zappa stopped recording new material in the few years before his all too early death in 1993, there was a void in the world for zany, odd, unpredicatable progressive music. In many ways Mike Keneally, former Zappa sideman, has filled that void. And once agsin he comes through with a winner.

He appears to be a nicer guy than Zappa, so his humor is much less biting, but his music can be nearly as spectacular. The best songs on this album are Louie, an off-time heavy rocker, the frenetic fusion piece Physics, and This Tastes Like A Hotel, a fifteen minute trip made up of many short idea, like a smaller version of Keneally's first two albums.

The band is in great form. They keep up with Keneally's twists and turns spectacularly. And I always love Bryan Beller's crisp bass playing.

My copy is the special limited edition that contains a bonus DVD, with a thirty minute live viseo, another thirty minute video on the band playing in a living room, a video of the making of the album, and a few more goodies. If you can find this version, it's well worth it.

3.5 stars. I really like this period in Keneally's discography, from 2000's "Dancing" to 2004's "The Universe Will Provide". "Dog" was also released in 2004 but for me it's a step down from those two records. Still, I'd rate this as my third favourite from him after those two. Like "Dancing" we get a lot of short poppy songs with vocals, along with those avant moments, and plenty of humour of course. Mike's albums are always entertaining.

I just noticed recently that monster drummer Marco Minnemann was Keneally's drummer on his albums from the 10's. Of course it's that Bryan Beller connection, but man we get the stunt guitarist and the stunt drummer on the same album? Speaking of drummers I was surprised to see that Nick D'Virgilio was on the kit here on "Dog". I just didn't see that one coming. He is one talented drummer I'll say that. And I'm surprised also that this recording is listed under the MIKE KENEALLY BAND which I have only seen on two of his live releases.

There is one long track on here which sort of encapsulates my feeling for the whole album. Hit and miss. The over 15 minute "This Tastes Like A Hotel". Man it sure sounds like fake beats and 80's synths 4 1/2 minutes in, but then those powerful rock sections that come and go make up for that. The long guitar solo over the bass and drums is great. My least favourite is the opener "Louie". There's some light and funny tunes, and no these guys don't take themselves too seriously. And we do have some drum programming and bouzouki on that shortest track "Physics".

So another good one, and honestly anything Keneally did during the first half of the 00's needs to be heard.