Echonest – Death With Benefits (single)

All three members are also busy with other projects. Mike plays in the psychedelic indie group, Zephranthes (recently released their third EP in January); Keith plays in the Pseudo Cowboys (who released an EP in 2015); and Warren has played in Stammerings (last releasing an album in 2015).

“We play music that is both entertaining and educational. Djent, Jazz, Classical Fusion, get into it.”

Together, they’ve quickly created a small library of singles and EPs, including Let’s Rap, Live​@​Slim’s, and so much more. All of which bring us to their latest sonic alchemy, the effervescently jazz-chill, prog-o-fantastic seven minutes and thirty-six seconds of abstract melody known as,  Death With Benefits.

I mean look, what really can one say about three guys who’ve actually bothered to master their respective instruments as well as their craft? At the end of the day, masters make jazz. Everything else is really… non-satiating, I suppose. (Lord knows I’m no master.) 

It’s as simple as it is complex:  Electric guitar, bass & drum, all unite in a unique way to create something that is at times busy—but in a good way; and at other times soft and sparkly—but in a good way. (Yes, sparkles can be good—very good.) At 3:10 our journey goes from a light, airy dance to the equivalent of the dark side of the force and what might be described as a touch of jazz-metal. Once again, at about the 5:30 mark, the song breaks once more, traveling back to the good side of the force, where we are eventually sent on our way with a final touch of harmonics. At the very least it’s wildly interesting. At the very most, it’s just fantastic.

WHOSE LOVECHILD…?
Weather Report meets the Chili Peppers…