MUSE'S MUSE CD REVIEW: Quiet Silence

By Ben Ohmart

This reviewer remembers, with fondness, the previous release from Matt and his 451 crew. They always seemed like a band of rehearsed pirates who were forever on the lookout for that elusive bridge that was built somewhere between the lands of Smooth and Contemporary, on that wide continent we call simply, Jazz.

And now they return, led by a drummer, still sailing those same seas they know so well. On the way they'll stop off to jam some classics from Coltrane and Bacharach. But they've also picked up some rebellious spirit on this release. Going after a pop classic like the Beatles' 'Tomorrow Never Knows' is rather daring. But they pull it off without resorting to a lot of tricks or inaccessible acid chords. Deep, soothing stuff - all 9 tracks - with just enough crunch.