First off, I should say that Liquid Jungle has changed its name to The Jungle. Next, I have to say that reading the band's bio, I wasn't really sure if I could believe it. Can this band really combine progressive rock and funk? Actually, they can. Now before you think this is going to be a total love-fest, I have a confession to make. Are you ready for this? The first time I listened to this album, I wasn't in love with it. To me, it sounded like another "modern rock" band. I am man enough to admit when I was wrong. This is not just another modern rock band. They have far too much going on in their songs for that. It doesn't take long to realize that the drummer is pretty phenomenal. He shows some pretty astounding skill on the skins in the first song "In Disguise." I don't think it would be out of order to say that Jason Monseur is the backbone of the band.
"Eyetomaton" features funky bass, rapid-fire guitar and drums, and some keyboards reminiscent of Stevie Wonder. As if that weren't enough layers for one song, the end of the song features some funky saxophone. This is perhaps a good example of why I didn't get the album the first time through. There is so much going on in these songs, you really need to take some time to absorb them.
It would be one thing if "Eyetomaton" were the only example of multi-layered song on this album. "Wrong Hand" is another fine example of that. In fact, pretty much every song is a complex, layered wall of sound.
This is an extremely thoughtful, well-crafted album with incredible instrumentation and very complex melodies and rhythms. If the band erred anywhere in Tiny Heaven, it was perhaps in making the album a little too long. At seventy minutes, it's a lot to take in.
