The last track of The Jelly Jam 2 is a recorded phone message from drummer Rod Morgenstein to guitarist/vocalist: "...holy sh--! This sounds unbelievable!" After hearing this album a few times, most listeners will have the same analysis. All three players here are renowned musicians in their own right: Tabor sings and plays guitar in King's X, Morgenstein belongs to Dixie Dregs, and bass player John Myung is a member of Dream Theater.
This trio rises above most "supergroups" in that they really are greater than the sum of their parts. Tabor's vocals are the best they've been since King's X's Please Come Home Mr. Bulbous. His guitar work never overpowers the other players, but instead compliments them perfectly. Myung's bass is more evident here than on the first album, or the two Platypus projects (Jelly Jam members with Planet X keyboardist Derek Sherinian). Morgenstein, along with Jerry Gaskill (King's X) may be the two most underrated drummers in rock.
"Not Today" leads off, portraying someone who isn't going to let the day's issues get to him: "He loves power, he loves putting up a fight -- but not today!" Those words, combined with a blistering guitar solo, lead to a great beginning. "Coming Round" deals with emotional turmoil: "I'm free as a bird that's been shot down." "Empty" features spoken word vocals, sung choruses and an instrumental bridge that kills. "Drop the Gun" and "Allison" are best viewed as one piece, much like "I Am the King/The King's Dance" from the group's first album.
"Angel or Devil" seeks to know the nature of God, and the dualistic mind of man:
And all I'd like to understand
But that's just not the way it's planned
And all I've never understand
On this side of the Promised Land.
Tabor goes on to remind us of the freedom of choice that we have, and the potential consequences of those choices.
"Maybe" revisits Tabor's divorce, and attempts to make peace with himself in the aftermath. Sonically, it resembles King's X bandmate Jerry Gaskill's solo work. "You Don't Need Me Anymore" comes from the same background. "War Is..." is a powerful polemic, leaving no doubt as to the band's feelings on the subject.
With 2004 two thirds over, The Jelly Jam 2 is my early pick for Album of the Year. You have three musicians at their peak, whose talents work effortlessly together. My only critique would be that Tabor's lyrics occasionally parallel The Beatles' school of rhyming for rhyme's sake method. Given his obsession with said band, Tabor may perceive that as a compliment. Inside Out Records indicates that The Jelly Jam will be playing some dates to promote the record -- one can only hope for a full length tour, perhaps in conjunction with the upcoming King's X tour. This is the best album I have heard in months.
5 tocks
Similar sounding releases
2003DoubledriveBlue in the Face
2004Jerry GaskillCome Somewhere
2002Deep InsightJulia
2005King's XOgre Tones
2005Half ZaftigRetrograde
1998HumanOut of the Dust
