The Rick Ray Band – The Gremlins Are Listening
Neurosis Records
12 Tracks – 79 minutes
Dive into the avant-garde realms of Ohio's musical maestros, The Rick Ray Band, as they unravel their 37th album, "The Gremlins Are Listening." Forget about conventional genres; this four-piece psychedelic progressive hard rock fusion ensemble delivers an auditory experience that transcends the ordinary. Strap in for a ride through intricate rhythms, mesmerizing guitar solos, and a sonic landscape that echoes influences from early Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, to the rebellious spirit of Alice Cooper.
Led by the indomitable Rick Ray on guitar and vocals, accompanied by Dave "Shaggy" Snodgrass on bass and vocals, Kip Volans on drums, and the unique touch of Rick "Sarge" Schultz on reeds and wind synthesizer, this band weaves a tapestry of sound that defies easy categorization. As the gremlins take their positions, the journey begins.
The opening track, "Escape Route," serves as a high-octane entry into the band's sonic universe. With Rick's vocals channeling the spirit of Alice Cooper and the instrumental bravado reminiscent of Led Zeppelin and Zappa, the stage is set for a wild ride. The nine-minute title track, "The Gremlins Are Listening," immerses the listener in a Pink Floyd-inspired odyssey, complete with mesmerizing guitar solos and a narrative that unveils the mischief of the elusive gremlins wreaking havoc in society.
"Use Your Pinky Frank" takes a detour into instrumental brilliance, echoing the experimental genius of Frank Zappa. As the journey continues, "Waterloo" introduces a Peter Green-esque ambiance before exploding into a guitar solo-driven narrative. "Atom Smasher" unleashes a hard-rocking Zappa-esque spectacle, blending Schultz's wind synthesizer with Rick's Bowie-esque vocals.
The reflective tones of "Innocent" showcase a different facet, with Rick navigating Bowie and Ian Hunter influences, while "You Can Take It" injects optimism into the mix, urging listeners to "look on the bright side." "Wine and Clover" introduces a folk-infused moment reminiscent of Fairport Convention, only to morph into a harder rock guitar melody. The curiously titled "Carole King's Elbow" is a jazzy, wah-wah guitar adventure with Schultz's reed work adding a unique dimension.
"Life Goes Bye" propels the listener into a rocking soundscape before seamlessly transitioning into the free-form, jazz-inflected guitar and reed battle of "Guitargoyles." The album concludes with the seven-minute instrumental deluge of "Ladder Level," leaving the listener in contemplative awe.
To the staunch blues purist, this might be unfamiliar territory, but for those craving musical exploration and a break from the conventional, "The Gremlins Are Listening" is a tantalizing journey into the uncharted waters of progressive rock fusion. The Rick Ray Band not only defies genre constraints but establishes a signature sound that is uniquely their own—an immersive experience for the adventurous sonic explorer.
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