ARTIST - OHMPHREY

CD - OHMPHREY

LABEL - MAGNA CARTA

RELEASE DATE - MAY 19, 2009

SOUNDS LIKE - King Crimson, Spyra Gyra, Primus, Joe Satriani, Dream Theatre

DEFINING MOMENTS - Shroons and Cheese, Someone Said you were Dead, Not Afraid of the Dark

STRENGTH - Musical Showmanship, Melodic Delivery, Consistency.

WEAKNESS - Marketability

KATAVI RATING - 4 out of 7 masks

5 piece band OHMphrey releases it’s debut self titled CD in MAY, 2009 under Magna Carta Records. OHMphrey is three members of Chicago based rock band Omphrey McGee, and two members of OHM. Together they join forces to become OHMphrey, now based out of Southern California. Overall I would file this music under Fusion-Rock with no vocals attached. From the start to finish I can hear bits and pieces of a million musical influences. Some of the major ones may include Joe Satriani, King Crimson, Primus, Saga, Dream Theatre, and maybe even a touch of Spyra Gyra.  

The CD itself logs on at just over 64 minutes and kicks off with “Someone Said You Were Dead” a rip roaring intro piece that serves up soaring Rush type riffs, combined with an Andy Summers (Police) type chord delivery, and sizzling solo work reminiscent of Steve Lukather and Al Dimeloa. Track 2: “The Girl from Chi Town” downshifts slightly delivering a more melodic based song, with multiple guitar textures, and one incredible keyboard solo. Track 3: “Denny’s by the Jail” starts off sounding more like a sound check gone hey wire, but methodically evolves into an kaleidoscopic explosion of guitar layers that grumble and moan, with multiple time signatures, and some amazing hi-hat work. What’s truly amazing about OHMphrey, given the amount of musical space each member possesses, it all somehow works. If OHMphrey was a house there would no doubt be a painting on every wall, but it would not look tacky. Track 4: “Ice Cream” has a big city Jazz type groove to it, with walking bass lines, and nice flowing and ebbing guitar layers. Drummer Kris Meyer displays impressive manual dexterity with his aggressive, pesky playing style. Bassist Robertino Pagliari sounds the most Jazz influenced, and he gives OHMphrey it’s Jazz aftertaste. But alot of credit should go out to melodic mastermind himself, guitarist Chris Pollard who delivers some unbelievable fretwork. It will remind you alot of Joe Satriani, Jennifer Batten, Steve Vai, and John Petrucci. What’s equally as impressive is the exotic rhythm guitar architecture delivered by Jake Cunninger reminiscent of Police, Mister Mister, and Rush. The Andy Summer-ish chord vocabulary is extremely exotic, and very well crafted. Track 5: “Lake Shore Drive” showcases Keyboardist Joel Cimmins with an impressive piano intro that methodically evolves into a bluesy-rock type groove complete with off time signatures, Spyra Gyra type bass accents and a barrage of musical peaks and valleys. Keyboardist Joel Cummins has chosen some remarkable accents that really mix up the catalogue. This is never more evident than on Track 6: “Not Afraid of the Dark”, with it’s in your face distorted Keyboard accents that really come at you. This song pushes harder than any song on the CD with breathtaking bass lines, a King Crimson type vibe, and mesmerizing trippyness. Make no bones about it these cats burned a lot of calories recording this record. What’s equally as impressive is it only took OHMphrey only 48 hours to do it via the live studio setting. OHMphrey reveals more and more of its personality as the CD progresses, when finally on Track 7, OHMphrey let’s it all hang out with my favorite track: “Shroons and Cheese”: a cultivating groove that slowly builds into a crescendo of exploding off time signature parts, primus type bass riffs, and hi-hat/snare solo guitar work this is simply sickening. The final track: “What’s the Word Thunderbird” seals the deal with a tight Funky Jazz groove that really slams it home. Just when you thought you’ve heard everything, in comes Chris Pollard again with some amazing voice box touches that will remind you of Peter Frampton on acid. Amazing! 

It will take a certain personality type to fully appreciate OHMphrey’s elite musical delivery. Be warned some of these songs push 10 minutes in length. Some songs will entice you in, give you a good thrashing before pinning you into musical submission. Others will slowly meander you in and out of a million or so doorways before sending you on your way, with your head spinning. The recording quality itself is superb. This stuff may not be the most marketable music ever written, but it’s a blast to listen to. If you are an experienced musician, it’s even more of a nice bonus. Probably the most amazing thing about this CD is it’s sheer unpredictability. You never really know what is round the next corner, but whatever it is it will require an open mind, and a very tight seat belt.  

For fans out there who enjoy world class musicianship, and chops that will make your head spin, this CD belongs in your hands. Musicians out there will be talking about this one over the water cooler for quite some time. OHMphrey appears to be off to a good start, and with the right combination of word of mouth exposure, and staying power will no doubt render a place at the deep end of the pool with bands like Rush, Dream Theatre, and King Crimson. It’s only a matter of time before OHMphrey locks in a loyal fan base. From solo’s that reach light speeds, to exuberant guitar layers, to pulsating keyboard accents, bass lines that flutter around like a pissed off hornet, to drums that suffer from severe ADHD – this CD will literally blow you out of your chair. It’s just sickening what these guys are capable of. There’s alot of variety on this record, from hard rock grooves, to Spyra Gyra type jazz rhythms, to Dream Theatre time signatures, to tense moments reminiscent of classic Primus or King Crimson. This CD has something for just about everyone. Overall I have to say OHMphrey’s debut CD is a brilliant and amazing musical statement. When this CD is over you will emerge from its cockpit saying “Wow, I’m not so sure what that was, but I want to do it again.

My overall rating - 4 out of 7 masks.

Cyrus Rhodes - 4/1/09

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