After the relatively subdued Sticks & Stones, moe. bounced back with this killer 2012 release, which also boasts perhaps my favorite of their album covers.
Rob Derhak gets off a few great ones like “Bones Of Lazarus” and the wicked “Paper Dragon”, as well as singing lead on (the traditionally Al Schnier-sung) “Haze” which he pulls off spectacularly. Rob’s “One Way Traffic”, tucked away deep on side two, is a cute little single but is definitely an outlier and it has not achieved the same kind of status as the other songs on this album.
Speaking of Al, he offers up the majority of songs, also contributing “Downward Facing Dog”, “Rainshine”, the future jam vehicle, “Puebla”, and the amazing side two opener, “Smoke”, which is one of his best offerings.
Jim Laughlin’s marimba leads the way on his insane instrumental, “Chromatic Nightmare”, while we are treated to one of Chuck Garvey’s most fun tunes, “Suck A Lemon”. Both of these songs have their origins in the “Electric Lemoe.nade Acid Test”, a one-time stage show that featured new songs from all five members (I’m still waiting for a “No Refrain” bustout).
My only gripe is that Chuck never has enough songs. His are some of the best. This one especially. That dude is a treasure and I am so glad to see him recovering from his stroke and back on the road. I look forward to more cool Chuck tunes.
This album was actually recorded twice, with a fully produced acoustic version appearing as a bonus disc on some CD editions. It is a killer alternate perspective and I really hope that it one day gets a vinyl pressing. Until then, this will do just fine.
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