Sunday, September 29, 2013

Levin Minnemann Rudess

Levin Minnemann Rudess (or as I like to call it, Liquid Tension Experiment 3) is the debut album from a trio of progressive rock titans: Tony Levin on bass (King Crimson), Marco Minnemann on drums (The Aristocrats), and Jordan Rudess on keyboards (Dream Theater).

Let's just say these guys can play. And play they do right from the start. This is a tsunami of music that bowls you over. The sound, especially for a trio, is a richly layered giant sphere. Listening is like unpacking a steamer trunk overflowing with oddly shaped machine parts, antique jewelry, and indecipherable electronic gadgets.

Why not just take a listen to one track, Scrod. They've also got a second video on YouTube that's a compilation of bits from various tracks on the album. I get the impression that while these guys have the skills to play some serious music they aren't drinking their own bathwater. They're having fun and it shows.


Progressive rock like this isn't for everyone. It's got sharp edges, has a hidden surprise inside, and doesn't come with assembly instructions. Someone called prog the jazz of rock which sounds good until you try to think about jazz being the whatever of something else. Regardless, this is music that pays off in spades for those willing to listen.

The band's website is www.levinminnemannrudess.com.

I receive no compensation of any kind for this review.

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