Review by Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
No rating supplied
Niacin has been on creative roll the past few years. With the release
of "Time Crunch" the vaunted trio of Billy Sheehan (bass), John Novello
(Hammond B3), Dennis Chambers (drums) come roaring back into to the
prog-rock spotlight. I realize how often I make references to Booker
T. & The MGs but…here I go again. It's that Hammond B3 organ that
gets me every time! You know what these guys sound like? They sound
Booker T. & The MGs on speed and acid.
Once again this prog-rock muscle trio makes a strong showing. Every
song is drenched in soulful organ, rockin' rhythm filled bass, and
go-to-war drums. They pound home their musical message with fervor
and nerve. The Hammond B3 dominants their sound, and surprisingly
the other two instruments aren't drowned out. This allows the music
to become full bodied and steeped in rhythm & blues and progressive
rock. There is no lead guitar to be found anywhere on this CD, and
its not necessary, this dynamic threesome makes plenty of noise without
any help from any of the other standard instruments that are normally
used for this type of music. This gives further credence to their
scope and talent as one of the more respected trios in progressive
rock. Most notable is Jeff Beck's 'Blue Wind' from his classic jazz-rock-fusion
album 'Wired.' It's done fabulously. And to think that they covered
the guitar God's song without a six-string, unheard of isn't it? Well
now you get to here an amazing version of the fusion classic minus
the all-important instrument.
Their music speaks louder than words, and that is why none are needed.
This is music with the heart and soul of a warrior. I can't wait to
hear the next chapter of their musical saga.
1. Elbow Grease
2. Time Crunch
3. Stone Face
4. Red
5. Invisible King
6. Daddy Long Leg
7. Hog Funk
8. Glow
9. Damaged Goods
10. Outside Inside Out
11. Blue Wind
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