ASSEMBLER

This sure is a talented band. Not that I know much about bassist Tom Kennedy (I haven't heard any Planet X albums yet) and drummer Kim Plainfield, other than the other Bill Connors albums I own. But Connors and his band seem to be channelling Allan Holdsworth and his groups on this album. From the compositions, to the guitar tones and phrasing, just about everything sounds like it could be a Holdsworth album.

The Holdsworth references aside, this is a pretty good album. The bass and drum playing is sharp all the way through, and the music has lots of twists and turns, keeping it interesting throughout.

My only complaint is that all of the songs are mostly jamming. There seems to be very little of the band playing written parts, just solos over the complex chord progressions.

Still, 4 stars.