Over the past few years, good music has gone somewhere. Not to radio, not to most tours, not even to file-sharing. Nay, good music went to England. Indeed, my good man.
But fortunately, it looks like the little known band, Apartment 26, has crossed the pond and is ready to take over with their new album, Music for the Massive. This incredibly diverse album begins with a real finger-snapper (literally) song called “Give Me More.” It blends jazz-influenced piano and bass, while the vocals and guitars maintain a very heavy, yet still very rhythmic, feel. Old Primus, anyone?
As the listener finishes surveying this amazing, (in the true sense of the word), album, he or she might feel as if a trick is being played on them. Something is different, but not blatantly obvious, about this record.
Could it be because lead singer Terence Butler is the son of legendary Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler? Oh, yes it’s true. The brain behind this incredible sound machine is genetically enhanced to rock even harder.
It is highly unlikely that recent times have produced a more unique-sounding or eclectically influenced band.
Their sound most of the time is like an incarnation of Incubus, Soundgarden and the jazz prodigy Bela Fleck. As varied as they are though, Apartment 26 is definitely rooted in hard rock; but they are as heavily eclectic as they are heavily electric.
Atlantic executives knew they had something good on their hands with Apartment 26, but they probably didn’t know exactly what they were getting into. The band had the ability, (and money), to take their time-four years to be exact-to make Music for the Massive.
They were free to shop it at labels without any corporate influence. The result is a beautifully played and beautifully produced quality record that leaves very little to be desired.
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