This rock hybrid is on the cutting edge.
author: Keith Hannaleck
Three guys and a lot of creative noise is the best way to describe Alcibiades Jones (Pronounced Al-suh-by-dees). After giving their new CD Refraction Mirage several spins I am simply marveling at how incredibly talented these three musicians are.
Austin Barney (guitar), Stuart Watson (bass) and Alex Zanecchia (drums) put it all together on this extremely enjoyable instrumental excursion. You will hear jazz, rock, surf, jam, and all of the above, mixed together to formulate one of the tastiest musical stews you will ever have the distinct pleasure to consume. This CD is jam packed with some major league ear candy.
This rock hybrid is on the cutting edge. Their funky jazz-fusion-rock workouts are difficult to put into any one niche because of the different direction each song takes. They have managed to gather influences from nearly ever style of music there is and bake it into their own one of a kind sound on each individual track. What makes the complete package so impressive is the fact that it is all instrumental. They prefer to let the music do all the talking. Although that emotional factor of lyrics is nonexistent, it is not something that you will miss. This is music with tons of color and character without the Vox Humana. You would be surprised how emotionally driven each piece is. I certainly can hear it in the way these young men play and approach every song.
I loved every track, absolutely. This one is 10 on any scale.
© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
June 13, 2005
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An an impressive first release
author: George Virgil
5{cords declare themselves with such confidence - the album reimagines their influences with such ease. It almost makes a discussion of influence beside the point. Except for how it's exceptional: how the album combines separate but complimentary strains of jazz and rock to form a sound that's both heady and at home in the dance-hall. Definitely worth listening to...
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Diverse, energized jamming!
author: Laura T Lynch of Kweevak.com
Upon hearing the first few notes of the up-tempo 'Thermidor' I thought, "I am really going to like this band" and sure enough their innovative instrumentals won me over. Alcibiades Jones is an experimental trio noodling in the realms of funk, jam, jazz and psychedelic rock. Their music is vibrant and the varied break beats and melodic tempos are entrancing. Funky bass lines and dynamic guitars add color to their musical imagery. Refraction Mirage is their ten-track debut. It was recorded live with few overdubs allowing passion and spontaneity to flow. Alcibiades Jones is working on their next record and touring in support of Refraction Mirage. Track two, 'Honduras' combines heavy rhythms with dramatic guitars and a driving base line. 'The Villa Is Burning' is another smoking tune with fast furious guitars leads blending with a blazing tempo. At some point, the instrumentation slows down to explore a diversity of rifts before building up more momentum. Although I listed the first three songs as my favorites, I enjoyed the whole CD with its diverse, energized jamming and quality musicianship!
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